DALTON, Ga. — Citing his “vast experience, leadership ability and record of improving student achievement,” the Dalton Board of Education named Tim Scott, assistant superintendent of district operations for the Douglas County School System, as the Dalton system’s next superintendent on Wednesday.

Board members voted 5-0 to approve Scott after meeting in executive session for 35 minutes. He will begin as superintendent on Monday.

Scott was one of two finalists. The other was interim Superintendent Don Amonett. But Amonett isn’t going to be leaving the central office as the 42-year veteran of the school system will return to his previous position as deputy superintendent under Scott.

Scott has a doctorate in educational leadership. He has served with the Douglas County School System as a principal and as the assistant superintendent of district operations. His career in education began in the 1980s at Houston County in middle Georgia and he has worked as a high school principal at Northside-Warner Robins High, Dublin High and Lassiter High in Cobb County before taking the Douglas County High principal’s position in 2011.

Scott said by phone he is anxious to get to know the staff and administrators in Dalton and looks forward to having Amonett on staff to help ease the transition to a new superintendent. 

“I am super excited and ready to get to work,” said Scott. “Dalton Public Schools has great educators and a wonderful community and I am excited to be part of a great team and look forward to working with them. I am excited to get an opportunity to serve the students and staff and continue their rich tradition of education. I really appreciate Don and all that he has done and the fact that he is going to stay on as deputy superintendent.”  

One of the factors in Scott’s hiring is what board Chairman Rick Fromm called “long-term continuity of leadership.” Scott has worked in education for 32 years, while Amonett, with 42 years of experience, was retired and had been working part time for the system as deputy superintendent before becoming interim superintendent when former superintendent Jim Hawkins stepped down last year to take another position with the school system.

Board member Palmer Griffin, who was a teacher and administrator in Dalton Public Schools for 24 years, spoke of having a “long-term” vision with Scott as the head of the school system.

“Dr. Scott has had a tremendous amount of experience across the state of Georgia, serving in middle and high schools and at the district level,” Griffin said. “I think he can bring to us those experiences and resources from across Georgia. Looking not only at the short term but the longer term also, we feel like we have put together a team that can keep Dalton Public Schools moving forward in a very positive direction for the betterment of students being the focus of that.”

Board member Matt Evans echoed Griffin’s sentiment when asked what the difference was between the finalists. 

“I think the board has to look at a lot of different factors both short term and long term,” Evans said. “I think when you added all those factors together we just felt like it was better to come together and unify and name Dr. Scott the long-term superintendent and hopefully fulfill the objectives of our strategic plan and our vision.”

Board member Pablo Perez said he thought both candidates were well qualified and would have done a good job, but he wanted a change at the top.  

“Both candidates had all the characteristics to become superintendent, but it is just change we needed to advance and prevent some conflicts and Dr. Scott has more of this leadership to move forward,” Perez said.

Fromm said Scott as the superintendent will “maximize our district’s many strengths and accelerate what we are doing well, while simultaneously addressing areas where improvement and change are needed.”

“In our selection of Dr. Scott, we are seeking to strengthen the district’s long-term continuity of leadership and direction, according to board priorities and the objectives of our new strategic plan,” Fromm said. “Dr. Scott’s track record and commitment to excellence indicate that he can translate the goals of this plan into an effective strategy coupled with strong execution.”

Scott will receive a base salary of $157,000 as part of a three-year contract. With travel expenses, payments to Scott’s retirement plan and payment of Scott’s professional associations, Fromm said the total compensation package is roughly $190,000. According to Scott’s resumé, he was making $140,000 a year at Douglas County. 

According to numbers provided by Dalton Public Schools, Hawkins made $209,721 in his last full year as superintendent. Hawkins’ current title is transition coordinator and his current salary is $98,000. Hawkins’ contract with the system expires on Sept. 30 of this year.