Longtime Fayette County resident and former Clayton County School Superintendent Dan Colwell was appointed Monday night as interim superintendent with the Fayette County School System.
Colwell will serve from January through June while the Fayette County Board of Education continues with its search to replace outgoing Superintendent Jeff Bearden, slated to conclude his two-year stint at the end of December.
The board voted unanimously to hire Colwell as the interim superintendent for a term that begins Jan. 3 and ends June 30. The board has previously stated its intention to have the permanent superintendent on-board by July 1. As for the terms of Colwell’s contract, Chairman Leonard Presberg said those issues would be worked out later this week.
Commenting on the school board’s decision, Presberg said, “I am excited that Mr. Colwell is stepping in on an interim basis. Not only does he bring a wealth of knowledge and experience, but he is a member of our community. And as someone who raised a family here, he knows how important our school system is to our county. I am confident that Dan can lead us through this period and leave us well-prepared for when we hire a new superintendent.”
Colwell has lived in Fayette County for the past 36 years where his children attended Fayette County schools.
Commenting after the meeting on his appointment as interim superintendent, Colwell said, “Fayette County has one of the finest school systems around. We’re fortunate to have a quality school system that’s one of the tops in the state. And I’m fortunate to be able to work here for a few months with the teachers and administrators.”
The longtime Fayette County resident served as superintendent of the Clayton County School System from 2000-2003 and in a variety of classroom and administrative positions in Clayton schools going back to 1969. As superintendent at Clayton County in a school system more than twice the size of Fayette, Colwell managed a budget of more than $300 million in a school system with more than 7,000 employees.
More recently, Colwell from 2008-2012 served as Coordinator of Leadership Training with the Griffin Regional Educational Service Agency (RESA). And he serves as Race to the Top Effectiveness Coach with the Henry County School System. Colwell also served on the Clayton College and State University Foundation Board of Directors from 2000-2004.
Colwell earned an Ed.S. in administration and supervision from West Georgia College in 1983.
Colwell during his work history has been cited with a wealth of honors and achievements.
