He lives in Phenix City and helps Muscogee schools. Now, he’s a superintendent finalist

Mark Rice
·2 min read
John Tucker

John Tucker, a Phenix City resident who serves the Muscogee County School District as a school effectiveness specialist with the Georgia Department of Education, is one of the two finalists to be the next superintendent of Lee County (Alabama) Schools.

The Lee County Board of Education will interview Tucker and the other finalist, Jacksonville (Alabama) City Schools superintendent Mike Howard, on Nov. 7 at the school district’s central office, 2410 Society Hill Road in Opelika, according to the announcement.

Tucker’s interview is scheduled to start at 10 a.m. CST, followed by Howard at 1:30 p.m. CST.

James “Mac” McCoy, who has been Lee County’s superintendent for 10 years, plans to retire Dec. 31.

The board selected Tucker and Howard among eight qualified candidates , according to the presentation from attorney William Sanderson of the Huntsville law firm Lanier Ford Shaver & Payne, who is leading the search.

Sanderson provided the following bio info about each of the finalists:

  • Tucker retired in June as superintendent of Camden County (Georgia) Schools. He has been an educator for 36 years, including positions as a teacher, coach, assistant principal, deputy principal and principal. He earned a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Sarasota.

  • Howard previously was superintendent of St. Clair County (Alabama) Schools. He has been an educator for 23 years, including positions as a teacher, assistant principal and principal. He earned a doctorate in rural education from the University of West Alabama.

The timeline Sanderson presented shows the board intends to decide on the top choice by its Nov. 14 meeting so the contract could be approved at the December meeting and the next superintendent could start by Jan. 1.

The GaDOE job description says a school effectiveness specialist “provides specific coaching support for principals and school level leadership teams, to develop capacity and improve leadership and instruction.”