Judy Gilreath

DALTON, Ga. — Whitfield County Board of Education Chairman Bill Worley believes Superintendent Judy Gilreath is a star in the education community — both for her leadership and for her singing.

Gilreath earned fame last school year with her singing of ballads to announce the closing of school because of the weather. Her renditions of Patsy Cline’s “Crazy” and Judy Garland’s “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” were featured on news outlets and social media across the country.

“You know, I even heard from people about that whenever I would travel to education conferences,” Worley said. “That was fun, and I think we have the best superintendent in the state, and I think we need to do everything we can to keep her happy.”

The school board recently gave Gilreath a new contract that runs into 2021. The new deal bumps her annual salary from $163,200 to $170,000. Neither Gilreath nor Worley would comment on provisions for royalties from her singing.

“You know, that was a lot of fun and really seemed to connect with the parents and the kids,” Gilreath said. “I do this job because I still love it.”

Gilreath had 14 months remaining on her previous contract, which originally had a base salary of $160,000. The contract increased to $163,200 when the state gave educators a 2 percent salary increase this year. The new contract which was approved by the board in July runs through June 30, 2021. The contract also includes money for professional memberships and dues as well as $600 a month in travel allowances.

“We have a good superintendent and we want to hang on to her as long as we can,” Worley said. “We know that retirement is in the future, so we re-upped and it added about a year-and-a-half on top of what was remaining. She is straightforward with the board, and she wants to do exactly what is best for the kids in Whitfield County Schools.”

Gilreath, who has been in education for 31 years and has also spent time in the Walker and Chattooga County school systems, is fully vested in the state’s retirement program. She said that gives her options, but she is excited about committing to the school system for another three years.

“To be honest, I haven’t kept up with it, but I could certainly retire,” she said. “So, I am here because I want to be. You hear people say that gives you a different attitude, and it really does. I do what I think is right in working with the board, and if they aren’t happy then I can retire and it gives you some different perspective.”

“I think we are making a lot of progress,” Gilreath said. “We have a great board and they get along very well and they have the best interest of the students at heart. This is the third system I have worked in and this is by far the best as far as community support. Everyone works well together. I’ve never seen the community support like it is here. You look at the people that are ready to put their time, talents and money to wherever it can best be used.”