Wilson Set to Interview for WCS Director Position

James Wilson, the fifth and final semi-finalist to interview for the Williamson County Director of Schools position, faces the WCS Board tonight at 6pm at the Administrative Complex in Franklin.

Georgia's Appen Newspapers ran an interesting article on James Wilson upon his resignation as Superintendent of Fulton County Schools in January of 2008.

The article, by Candy Waylock, cites a "grinding schedule" and "constant demands on his time" as reasons for Wilson's resignation -- which was effective at the end of the 2008 school year.

When he was hired in February of 2005, Wilson, 55, had pledged to serve three to five years as the head of the state's fourth-largest school system. His decision to announce his resignation mid-year gives the board five months to conduct a superintendent search while Wilson wraps up his tenure.

One wonders if Wilson would be given the same opportunity in Williamson County -- to announce he's stepping down in the midst of a school year and be permitted to remain as superintendent through the end of the school year while the search for a successor was conducted. Given the action taken by the Williamson County School Board to terminate the previous Director in the middle of the year, it's questionable whether the Board would act differently faced with the same decision in the future.

"I told the [school board] I would stay at least three years, and possibly up to five years," said Wilson. "I love the job -- every minute of it. But it's a very tiring and demanding job and I couldn't see making the commitment for another school year."

The job of a Director or Superintendent is very tiring and demanding. Wilson is the second "retired" candidate among this batch of five (joining Dennis Dearden) who would be returning to an administrative position after essentially one year away. Given Wilson's resignation after three years leading Fulton County, it also seems likely that anything greater than three years in Williamson County is doubtful if he's offered the position.

Wilson will get the opportunity tonight to answer the same 25 questions asked of the other four candidates -- along with some different follow-ups, we're sure.

Thursday night the School Board will have to ask themselves some questions when determining which candidates to bring back for public forums, tours of the schools, and additional interviews before making a final decision.

Do Williamson County residents -- parents and otherwise -- want a Director to take our schools and our students into the future with vision, energy, passion, and results? Will the residents accept someone who has "retired" once or twice before? Do the people of this county want to go through this search process again maybe three years from now?