Bulloch County Board of Education members are considering three men for the Bulloch County school superintendent position about to be vacated by Dr. Jessie Strickland, who resigned from the position. Strickland has accepted a position with Ogeechee Technical College as vice president of student affairs. Her tenure ends June 30.
Two of the candidates — Dr. Jose Gilberto Boza Jr. and Dr. Lewis Dale Holloway Jr. — hail from the Clarke County school system, while the third, Dr. Michael Scott Winstead, is employed by the Knox County, Tennessee school system.
Bulloch BOE members expect to make their decision this week and will likely announce their selection Thursday, said BOE Chairman David Ball.
Boza, from Athens, is currently the Clarke County Schools executive Director of Instructional Services. He has held that position for the past five years, and is responsible for an annual budget of $10-12 million, oversees 28 employees (eight of whom report directly to him) and currently makes $112,000 a year. He holds a Level 7 Georgia Leadership Certificate.
Holloway, also from Athens, is currently serving as the Clarke County school superintendent, and has been in that position for the past seven years. Holloway is responsible for an annual budget of $120 million, is over 2,000 employees (44 of whom report directlyto him) and receives a current salary of $160,000 a year. He also holds a Level 7 Georgia Leadership Certificate.
Winstead, from Knoxville, TN, is Knox County Schools' Director of Curriculum and Accountability. Having been in that position for the past 6 years, Winstead is responsible for 40 employees, 18 of whom report directly to him and is responsible for $5 million annual budget. He currently receives an annual salary of $92,000 and holds a Level 6 Georgia Leadership Certificate. He is also an adjunct assistant professor at University of Tennessee.
Strickland's total annual salary is $139,065. School board officials have not disclosed the proposed salary for the new superintendent.
@Subhead: Dr. Jose Boza Jr.
@Bodycopy: Boza enjoys spending time with his family and friends, and often can be found outdoors, participating in activities such as hiking, swimming, biking, and kayaking.
His wife of 15 years, Linda, "has a doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction, is currently an instructional specialist at Clarke Central High School in Athens, where she supports teachers with their everyday teaching, delivers professional learning, and leads school-wide initiatives," he said.
The couple has five children – Alexander 14, Harrison 12, Analisa 11, Nicolina 8, and Antonio 6. The Boza household also includes "my father, who suffers from Parkinson’s ... and two four-legged family members" — A. J., a toy/miniature poodle mix, and Charcoal, a Scottish terrier mutt.
Boza said he is interested in becoming Bulloch County's next school superintendent "because of the many successful initiatives that are already taking place in the district."
He is also interested in "the tremendous opportunities for increasing student learning in the coming years as the district continues to grow.
"Some of the initiatives like using instructional technology and focused school improvement plans will continue to provide a pathway for demonstrating student growth in core academic areas," he said. "The work that the district has accomplished with the balanced scorecard is also impressive and it demonstrates an ongoing commitment to maximizing student learning through high expectations."
He likes what Bulloch County has to offer as a place to live and raise children, he said.
A move to the Statesboro area would place them closer to family in Florida, so they could visit the elderly relatives more often, he said.
The Boza family has "always lived in communities that are rich in diversity since we feel it is important for our children to be raised with a variety of perspectives that will ultimately enrich their lives and help them be compassionate as they interact with a variety of people," he said. Statesboro and Bulloch County provide that sort of community.
Being a"college and university town, (Statesboro) has many positive attributes in that it allows for the building of partnerships among the different institutions of higher learning, school district, businesses, and aspects of city government like leisure services," Boza said. "Having a college and university also provides access to cultural events that are harder to find in some towns. We like living in a community that is not too large, where small town values and beliefs are still a way of life for people and where folks know one another and look out for each other."
Boza said he feels a superintendent's most important responsibility "is to make sure that students are learning and experiencing success so they can be prepared with the knowledge, skills, and behaviors that are essential to have for post-secondary pursuits.
"In order to accomplish this, I would want to build upon the strengths and contributions of the many individuals who are delivering services to the youngsters and families of Bulloch County," he said.
If selected, Boza said his main focus would be "to continue working on current initiatives identified in the district’s strategic plan. If necessary, additional focus areas would be added to the existing plan as long as these areas are educationally sound, fiscally responsible, and good for students."
@Subhead:Dr. Lewis Holloway Jr.
@Bodycopy: Holloway has been married to wife Karen, a speech therapist, for 29 years. The couple has three sons — Trey, 24; Luke, 22; and Josh, 20.
" As a family we enjoy anything remotely related to outdoor activity," he said, adding he especially enjoys jogging with the family dog Rosie, playing golf, and racquet ball.
He also enjoys reading.
Holloway said he is interested in the Bulloch County school superintendent position because "Bulloch County is a great community offering a high quality of life.
" The school system has a history of high performing schools," he said. "The school board is professional, committed and supportive. It would be an honor to serve in a community that embraces the importance of education evidenced by the high quality of board members elected to office. "
If selected for the position, Holloway would focus on providing students with everything they need to obtain the highest quality education, he said. His main concentration would be " Dealing with growth and providing educationally conducive classrooms," he said Also, " Keeping and providing a high quality teaching staff with support, materials and technology to stimulate students to be engaged in learning."
Just as important would be "engaging parents and the community with high expectations for student achievement through high school into post secondary opportunities," he said.
Holloway said he feels a school superintendent's most important responsibility is to "Provide accurate timely student assessment information so that teachers and schools can enhance teaching and curriculum delivery. This information must be prioritized within schools and the district with a collective district vision communicated to the community. "
@Subhead: Dr. Michael Winstead
@Bodycopy: Family is also of high importance to Winstead.
"I am married to my high school sweetheart, Sonya," he said. "She is also an educator - serving the past 10 years as a school administrator." The couple has three kids: Kerri, 16, Matthew , 13, and Reagan, 12.
Winstead enjoys fishing, playing golf, and reading, as well as "just about any activity with my family."
He is interested in the Bulloch County school superintendent position because "The Bulloch County School System is a good district with the potential to be great," he said. "There are many good districts in Georgia and throughout the country. However, not all of them have what it takes to move to the next level. Bulloch County has the raw resources ... and the teachers, parents, and community to make that move. "
The community also holds charm for Winstead.
"My wife and I both grew up in communities about the size of Bulloch County," he said. "After living in a much bigger city like Knoxville for the past 15 years, we both wanted to get back to the lifestyle that a smaller town provides. As a regional center, Bulloch County offers many things that are normally not found in a county its size ... while maintaining its small town atmosphere. "
If selected for the position, Winstead plan to direct his attention to achievement.
"My major focus will be student achievement," he said. "We must do whatever it takes to ensure that our graduates are ready for college and/or the work force.
" In today's world, it is not good enough to be an average district in Georgia," he said. "It is even not good enough to be average in the country. In order to prepare our students to compete on a world stage, the school system must push to become world class. Each year, students graduate from Bulloch County ready to compete globally. We must find ways to increase the number of students who achieve that level of education."
Winstead said he feels a superintendent's most important responsibility is leading and being part of a team.
" The superintendent must work collaboratively with all stake holders to set the goals for the district and then keep everyone focused on those goals," he said. "He must be visible, accessible, and a strong communicator."
And he feels he is the man for the job because ""I have been very successful in varying my leadership style to meet the needs of my subordinates," he said. "One of my strongest attributes is my problem solving skills ... I am thick-skinned and willing to make difficult and perhaps unpopular decisions when necessary. "
Two of the candidates — Dr. Jose Gilberto Boza Jr. and Dr. Lewis Dale Holloway Jr. — hail from the Clarke County school system, while the third, Dr. Michael Scott Winstead, is employed by the Knox County, Tennessee school system.
Bulloch BOE members expect to make their decision this week and will likely announce their selection Thursday, said BOE Chairman David Ball.
Boza, from Athens, is currently the Clarke County Schools executive Director of Instructional Services. He has held that position for the past five years, and is responsible for an annual budget of $10-12 million, oversees 28 employees (eight of whom report directly to him) and currently makes $112,000 a year. He holds a Level 7 Georgia Leadership Certificate.
Holloway, also from Athens, is currently serving as the Clarke County school superintendent, and has been in that position for the past seven years. Holloway is responsible for an annual budget of $120 million, is over 2,000 employees (44 of whom report directlyto him) and receives a current salary of $160,000 a year. He also holds a Level 7 Georgia Leadership Certificate.
Winstead, from Knoxville, TN, is Knox County Schools' Director of Curriculum and Accountability. Having been in that position for the past 6 years, Winstead is responsible for 40 employees, 18 of whom report directly to him and is responsible for $5 million annual budget. He currently receives an annual salary of $92,000 and holds a Level 6 Georgia Leadership Certificate. He is also an adjunct assistant professor at University of Tennessee.
Strickland's total annual salary is $139,065. School board officials have not disclosed the proposed salary for the new superintendent.
@Subhead: Dr. Jose Boza Jr.
@Bodycopy: Boza enjoys spending time with his family and friends, and often can be found outdoors, participating in activities such as hiking, swimming, biking, and kayaking.
His wife of 15 years, Linda, "has a doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction, is currently an instructional specialist at Clarke Central High School in Athens, where she supports teachers with their everyday teaching, delivers professional learning, and leads school-wide initiatives," he said.
The couple has five children – Alexander 14, Harrison 12, Analisa 11, Nicolina 8, and Antonio 6. The Boza household also includes "my father, who suffers from Parkinson’s ... and two four-legged family members" — A. J., a toy/miniature poodle mix, and Charcoal, a Scottish terrier mutt.
Boza said he is interested in becoming Bulloch County's next school superintendent "because of the many successful initiatives that are already taking place in the district."
He is also interested in "the tremendous opportunities for increasing student learning in the coming years as the district continues to grow.
"Some of the initiatives like using instructional technology and focused school improvement plans will continue to provide a pathway for demonstrating student growth in core academic areas," he said. "The work that the district has accomplished with the balanced scorecard is also impressive and it demonstrates an ongoing commitment to maximizing student learning through high expectations."
He likes what Bulloch County has to offer as a place to live and raise children, he said.
A move to the Statesboro area would place them closer to family in Florida, so they could visit the elderly relatives more often, he said.
The Boza family has "always lived in communities that are rich in diversity since we feel it is important for our children to be raised with a variety of perspectives that will ultimately enrich their lives and help them be compassionate as they interact with a variety of people," he said. Statesboro and Bulloch County provide that sort of community.
Being a"college and university town, (Statesboro) has many positive attributes in that it allows for the building of partnerships among the different institutions of higher learning, school district, businesses, and aspects of city government like leisure services," Boza said. "Having a college and university also provides access to cultural events that are harder to find in some towns. We like living in a community that is not too large, where small town values and beliefs are still a way of life for people and where folks know one another and look out for each other."
Boza said he feels a superintendent's most important responsibility "is to make sure that students are learning and experiencing success so they can be prepared with the knowledge, skills, and behaviors that are essential to have for post-secondary pursuits.
"In order to accomplish this, I would want to build upon the strengths and contributions of the many individuals who are delivering services to the youngsters and families of Bulloch County," he said.
If selected, Boza said his main focus would be "to continue working on current initiatives identified in the district’s strategic plan. If necessary, additional focus areas would be added to the existing plan as long as these areas are educationally sound, fiscally responsible, and good for students."
@Subhead:Dr. Lewis Holloway Jr.
@Bodycopy: Holloway has been married to wife Karen, a speech therapist, for 29 years. The couple has three sons — Trey, 24; Luke, 22; and Josh, 20.
" As a family we enjoy anything remotely related to outdoor activity," he said, adding he especially enjoys jogging with the family dog Rosie, playing golf, and racquet ball.
He also enjoys reading.
Holloway said he is interested in the Bulloch County school superintendent position because "Bulloch County is a great community offering a high quality of life.
" The school system has a history of high performing schools," he said. "The school board is professional, committed and supportive. It would be an honor to serve in a community that embraces the importance of education evidenced by the high quality of board members elected to office. "
If selected for the position, Holloway would focus on providing students with everything they need to obtain the highest quality education, he said. His main concentration would be " Dealing with growth and providing educationally conducive classrooms," he said Also, " Keeping and providing a high quality teaching staff with support, materials and technology to stimulate students to be engaged in learning."
Just as important would be "engaging parents and the community with high expectations for student achievement through high school into post secondary opportunities," he said.
Holloway said he feels a school superintendent's most important responsibility is to "Provide accurate timely student assessment information so that teachers and schools can enhance teaching and curriculum delivery. This information must be prioritized within schools and the district with a collective district vision communicated to the community. "
@Subhead: Dr. Michael Winstead
@Bodycopy: Family is also of high importance to Winstead.
"I am married to my high school sweetheart, Sonya," he said. "She is also an educator - serving the past 10 years as a school administrator." The couple has three kids: Kerri, 16, Matthew , 13, and Reagan, 12.
Winstead enjoys fishing, playing golf, and reading, as well as "just about any activity with my family."
He is interested in the Bulloch County school superintendent position because "The Bulloch County School System is a good district with the potential to be great," he said. "There are many good districts in Georgia and throughout the country. However, not all of them have what it takes to move to the next level. Bulloch County has the raw resources ... and the teachers, parents, and community to make that move. "
The community also holds charm for Winstead.
"My wife and I both grew up in communities about the size of Bulloch County," he said. "After living in a much bigger city like Knoxville for the past 15 years, we both wanted to get back to the lifestyle that a smaller town provides. As a regional center, Bulloch County offers many things that are normally not found in a county its size ... while maintaining its small town atmosphere. "
If selected for the position, Winstead plan to direct his attention to achievement.
"My major focus will be student achievement," he said. "We must do whatever it takes to ensure that our graduates are ready for college and/or the work force.
" In today's world, it is not good enough to be an average district in Georgia," he said. "It is even not good enough to be average in the country. In order to prepare our students to compete on a world stage, the school system must push to become world class. Each year, students graduate from Bulloch County ready to compete globally. We must find ways to increase the number of students who achieve that level of education."
Winstead said he feels a superintendent's most important responsibility is leading and being part of a team.
" The superintendent must work collaboratively with all stake holders to set the goals for the district and then keep everyone focused on those goals," he said. "He must be visible, accessible, and a strong communicator."
And he feels he is the man for the job because ""I have been very successful in varying my leadership style to meet the needs of my subordinates," he said. "One of my strongest attributes is my problem solving skills ... I am thick-skinned and willing to make difficult and perhaps unpopular decisions when necessary. "