THOMASVILLE — The search for a new Thomasville City Schools superintendent is drawing to an end.

City schools board members announced the three finalists for the position following a called board meeting Wednesday night, and the expectation is a new leader will be named by month’s end.

Finalists are Dr. Charles Alvarez, Dr. Veronica Brown and Dr. Raymond Bryant. Dr. Alvarez currently is the director of STEM, Curriculum and Advanced Programs for Valdosta City Schools. Dr. Brown is director of Curriculum and Instruction for grades 6-12 for Lowndes County Schools. Dr. Bryant, previously the chief operations officer for Henry County Schools, is a leadership consultant for the Georgia Leadership Institute for School Improvement.

Under state law, the school board has to wait 14 days from announcing the finalists to choose a sole finalist, and board members hope they can have a new superintendent named soon. 

“At this time, our intention is to name someone at the next board meeting,” said board chair Kejar Butler. 

City schools’ human resources director Carla DuBose has been serving as interim superintendent since late April. Ben Wiggins, who had been named superintendent in December 2019, was chosen in January to lead Colquitt County Schools. He began his duties there last month.

The Thomasville City Schools board hired the Georgia School Board Association to conduct its search for a replacement.

“The board’s intent was to be very careful and deliberate,” Butler said. “Academic excellence for all students was at the forefront.”

Butler said the board has been looking for candidates who stress instructional leadership and academic excellence.

“The board has been committed from day one to finding a new leader for the school system,” she said. “We want to find someone who will work toward achieving academic excellence for all students.

“We are committed to making the right decision.”

Alvarez began his teaching career in the Valdosta City Schools system before moving to Cobb County as magnet school lead teacher there. He also has worked in the Rockdale County Public Schools as academic rigor coordinator. 

He holds a doctorate in education leadership from Georgia State University.

Brown began her career as a special education teacher in Madison County (Florida) Schools. She became assistant principal and director of the freshman academy for Thomas County Schools in 2008 before becoming an assistant principal in the Valdosta City Schools system. 

Brown went to the Lowndes County Schools as an assistant principal and later became the director of curriculum and instruction for pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. She holds a doctorate in educational leadership from Argosy University.

Bryant began as a teacher in the Leon County Schools before moving to Henry County. He became assistant principal in Douglas County. He eventually was made a principal in Douglas County before returning to Henry County as coordinator of elementary schools.

He also has been director of leadership services, interim assistant superintendent of leadership services, regional executive officer, and assistant superintendent of administrative services for Henry County Schools. He holds a doctorate in educational leadership from Nova Southeastern University.

Editor Pat Donahue can be reached at (229) 226-2400 ext. 1806.