Harris County Board of Education votes in next superintendent
HARRIS COUNTY, Ga. (WRBL)— Tuesday night in a special called meeting, the Harris County Board of Education finalized some upcoming changes of leadership officially voting in Dr. Justin Finney as the next superintendent.
The search began in Oct. of 2023 following the announcement of Roger Couch’s plans to retire. Dr. Finney, boasting 24 years of public education experience, was selected out of 18 applicants.
“His experience and everything that he brings to the table just stood out among the others. Plus, the biggest is he lives in this community already,” HCSD Board Chair, Garnett Ray, told WRBL. “He knows Harris County Schools; he lives and breathes Harris County schools. So, it he was he was just the logical candidate.”
For the past six years the Columbus State University alumnus has served as the HCSD assistant superintendent of business services and technology. His resume also includes teacher, coach, assistant principal, and principal across Muscogee and Harris Counties.
When thanking the board and the room packed full of supporters, Dr. Finney said he looks forward to earning the trust of the Harris County citizens.
“To earn the trust of the citizens of Harris County, you just have to be authentic, and you have to listen to them. You have to be willing to engage with them and you have to be willing to dialog with them,” Dr. Finney said. “And I want the citizens of Harris County to know that I’m always open to their input. I want them to be involved in the schools of Harris County because it truly is a team effort to educate children today. And it’s up to all of us in the Harris County community to make sure that our students are prepared and that they flourish in our schools.”
Dr. Finney says he wants Harris Couty to be recognized as one of the premier school districts in the state of Georgia and is looking forward to watching the county grow.
“I’d like to thank the Board of Education and thank the Harris County community for their overwhelming support, not just in my new role, but as a leader and an administrator in the Harris County School District,” Dr. Finney shared. “What I’d like to tell the citizens of Harris County, the staff, the students are I just look forward to meeting them, hearing their input, listening to them, learning from them, and just embarking on this journey with them. We’ve got some challenges, but most of all, we’ve got some great opportunities ahead in Harris County.”
Dr. Finney will officially become the next superintendent on June 1, 2024. To the current superintendent, Roger Couch, he says thank you.
“My message to Mr. Couch is thank you. Thank you for your support over the years. Thank you for serving as a mentor for me. I would not be here without him and the Board of Education and many others that I mentioned. I hope he takes time to rest, and he can count on me to call on him once in a while for some advice,” Dr. Finney said. “So, I look forward to continuing my relationship with Mr. Couch. He’s a wonderful man, and I just can’t say enough good things about him and his leadership in this district.”
More on the retirement of Roger Couch from the HCSD:
SUPERINTENDENT OF HARRIS COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT ANNOUNCES PLAN TO RETIRE
HAMILTON, GA (OCTOBER 6, 2023) – The Harris County School District (HCSD) Superintendent has announced plans to retire at the end of the current school year.
“With his guiding hand, Roger Couch navigated the district through substantial change, growth, and challenges, including the profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic,” shared Garnett Ray III, chair of the Harris County Board of Education. He expressed gratitude, stating, “We were fortunate and blessed to have Mr. Couch come out of retirement to serve as superintendent in a time of need. His leadership during challenging times has been invaluable. We wish him an enjoyable retirement, and he will always be welcome to be a part of the Harris County School District.”
Couch’s journey with the district began years ago, serving as the principal of Harris County High School. He emerged from retirement to step into the role of interim superintendent, showcasing exceptional leadership and dedication.
“This group of people, and many who have served here during the last 20 years, have worked really hard to make the Harris County School District better,” Couch shared as he reflected on his tenure. “I’m pleased and excited to have had the opportunity to work with those people to advance the district. I’m immensely grateful for the chance to have worked with this incredible team, ensuring our students have every opportunity to succeed academically and beyond.”
The announcement of his retirement at this time allows the Harris County School District to commence a thorough and thoughtful search for the next superintendent, ensuring a strong and capable leader for the district’s future. Couch will continue to serve through the end of this school year, allowing for a seamless transition.
As Couch embarks on this new chapter, the Harris County School District acknowledges his significant contributions and wishes him a retirement filled with happiness and endless adventures.
The Harris County School District is in Hamilton, Georgia. For more information, visit www.harris.k12.ga.us or call 706-628-4206.
Harris County School District, Rachel Crumbley Communications, LLC
More on Dr. Justin Finney from the HCSD
BOARD OF EDUCATION NAMES SUPERINTENDENT FINALIST
HAMILTON, GA (FEBRUARY 8, 2024) – After a search that began in October 2023, the Harris County Board of Education has named Dr. Justin Finney as the finalist for the superintendent of the Harris County School District (HCSD). Finney has 24 years of public education experience, and for the past six years has served as the assistant superintendent of business services and technology for the district. He has also been a teacher, coach, assistant principal, and principal.
The naming of the finalist culminates five months of intense search activity by the Harris County Board of Education. Soon after Roger D. Couch announced his upcoming retirement, the Board employed search consultants King-Cooper and Associates. With the help of the search firm, the position was advertised, 18 applications reviewed, candidates screened, and lengthy interviews conducted. With the naming of the finalist, the Board must now wait at least 14 days before taking an official vote to employ Finney.
He is a graduate of Columbus State University (CSU) with a B.S. Ed. Degree in Social Studies Education. Finney also has a master’s degree, specialist degree, and the Ed.D. from Columbus State University. His Ed.D. is in curriculum and leadership.
Finney began his educational career as a coach and teacher at Rothschild Middle School in Muscogee County in 2001. He taught at CSU from 2004-2007 before becoming assistant principal at Harris County Carver Middle School in 2007. He served as principal of Mulberry Creek Elementary from 2010-2018 and became an HCSD assistant superintendent in 2018. In addition to his work in Harris County, he has served as a part-time Instructor at both CSU and Piedmont University in Demorest, Ga. His duties as assistant superintendent includes oversight of business services, technology, and operations.
To further help prepare himself to be superintendent, Finney has attended the Georgia School Superintendent’s Association special training programs in facilities, human resources, and budgeting. He also completed the Superintendent Professional Development Program, a two-year special training program for aspiring superintendents.
Finney has been married 29 years to his wife, Terri. The couple has two grown children, Michael and Madison.
Garnett Ray, chair of the Board of Education, stated, “We are delighted to have someone of Dr. Finney’s experience and ability to be our next superintendent. He has been a committed and loyal employee of Harris County schools. We have had a very deliberate and thorough search process, and I appreciate how well the Board has worked together through the search process.”
The Harris County School District is in Hamilton, Ga. For more information, visit www.harris.k12.ga.us or call (706) 628-4206.
Harris County School District, Rachel Crumbley Communications, LLC
Previous Reports
Dec. 13, 2023: Harris County High School unveils new, $1.7 million tennis facility | WRBL
Oct. 18, 2023: What is ESPLOST? Harris County residents set to vote whether to renew | WRBL
Oct. 6, 2023: HCSD Superintendent announces plan to retire at the end of 2023 academic year (wrbl.com)
Sept. 21, 2023: Harris County Tigers set to practice in new $12 million training facility | WRBL
Aug. 8, 2023: Harris County Superintendent talks back to school with WRBL | WRBL
Aug. 8, 2023: Harris County officials remind motorists, bus riders rules of the road ahead of school year | WRBL
July 17, 2023: Bus registration now virtual for Harris County School District | WRBL
July 11, 2023: Harris County School District working to combat bus driver shortage | WRBL
Dec. 9, 2022: Harris County bus driver sets record behind the wheel | WRBL
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