MOULTRIE, GEORGIA – November 6, 2023 – Colquitt County School District (CCSD) Superintendent Ben Wiggins announced his plans to retire at the end of the current school year during the October Board of Education meeting. Mr. Wiggins shared the following sentiments about his time in the district; "I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as Colquitt County School District superintendent. This is a fantastic community, and everyone is pulling in the same direction on important matters related to the district. Our community did a fantastic job participating in our District Strategic Planning Meetings with the Georgia School Boards Association (GSBA) and the Georgia Leadership Institute for School Improvement (GLISI). GSBA and GLISI were impressed with the participants' diversity and representation, including staff, parents, students, and community members. The strategic plan guides the district in the goal areas of student achievement, communication, culture/climate, operational effectiveness, and a high-quality workforce. CCSD is in a very strong place and ready for the next superintendent to lead the staff, students, and community to new heights. My wife, Jana, and I are looking forward to my retirement at the end of the school year. She has shared my busy schedule as an administrator for decades, and it is time for us to spend quality and quantity time together. It has been a true honor to work with the outstanding CCSD staff and Board of Education, and I look forward to the things we will accomplish the rest of this school year."
Mr. Wiggins returned to the district as the superintendent in May 2021. He began his teaching career here in 1996 before becoming the principal at Pelham High School in 2009 and at Oconee County High School in 2014. He was the superintendent of the Thomasville City School System before assuming the role in Colquitt County. During Mr. Wiggins's time as the superintendent, he led the district through a strategic planning process to develop the current five-year plan and a master facility plan process leading to the current ESPLOST projects. He prioritized the development of a district-wide instructional framework and acquiring resources and formative assessments in K-12 English Language Arts and mathematics. Under his guidance, the district implemented a professional learning plan for teachers that includes partnerships with the Rollins Center tied to the Science of Reading, learning communities at the district and school level, and real-time instructional coaching support for teachers.
Mr. Wiggins made school safety a priority. The district added a Director of School Safety, more cameras in common areas and classrooms, and an anonymous app for students, staff, and the community to report safety concerns. He began addressing the need to recruit and retain the best employees by evaluating payscales, adding programs that provide additional employee benefits, and restructuring the benefits package to include a retirement match program. CCSD is now recognized state and nationwide for having one of the strongest compensation and benefits packages for employees. Mr. Wiggins also addressed the emotional well-being of students and staff through several programs that support the whole person.
"Mr. Wiggins leveraged his experience from other districts and his participation in state and national organizations to bring innovative approaches to long-term challenges in our district," shared Mary Beth Watson, Board of Education Chair. "The growth we have experienced in his time as superintendent is impressive, and the results of his work in the district will continue to benefit our community for years to come. Mr. Wiggins has us on a great path and is committed to ensuring continued progress and a smooth transition for our system. He is determined to finish as well as he started, and the Board is grateful for his continued leadership. There is much to accomplish in the next six months."
Board of Education Seeking Qualified Applicants for Position of Superintendent
The Colquitt County Board of Education is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Superintendent of Schools. Attorney William C. McCalley will assist the Board of Education with the search for a new Superintendent. Completed application packages for this position must be received by the close of the business day, November 17, 2023, by 5:00 p.m. The application materials should submitted using the Colquitt County School District online application portal. (link to https://www.applitrack.com/colquitt/onlineapp/ )
For an application package to be considered, it must include the following documents:
- Formal letter of application
- A copy of a current resume
- A copy of the Georgia leadership certificate (Required only for Georgia candidates)
- A list of three references to include names, addresses, and two telephone numbers (office and home or cell).
Minimum Qualifications:
- Possession of or is eligible for the Education Specialist Degree or higher and holds or is eligible for a Georgia Professional Clear Renewable Tier II Certificate at L-6 level or higher in Educational Leadership. Certificate number or letter of eligibility from the Georgia Professional Standards Commission as verification of such eligibility must be provided. Georgia certification information is available from the Division of Certification, Georgia Professional Standards Commission, 200 Piedmont Ave., Suite 1702, Atlanta, GA 30334; 800-869-7775 or www.gapsc.com.
- Of good moral character; not convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude, as required by GA law; possession of high standards of ethical and moral conduct and that s/he promotes the success of all students by adhering to ethical principles and professional norms.
- Has no immediate family members serving on the Colquitt County Board of Education or employed as an administrator in the school district after July 1, 2009, as required by GA law.
- Experience as an administrator at the school or central office level.
COLQUITT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT NONDISCRIMINATION NOTICE
The Colquitt County School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, or sex in its employment practices. It is the policy of the Board of Education to comply fully with the requirements of Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans With Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) and all applicable protected classes and accompanying regulations. Any employee, applicant for employment, or other person who believes he or she has been discriminated against or harassed in violation of this policy must make a complaint in accordance with the procedures outlined below. See Board of Education Policy GAAA.