Clarke County School Superintendent Phil Lanoue will take a position leading the Fulton County school system later this spring.

Lanoue announced the move in an email to CCSD parents this morning. Fulton County also issued a press release saying that he is the sole finalist and will be formally offered the position after a 14-day comment period. Lanoue said that a date has not been set, but Fulton County said he will take over May 1.

"I am incredibly honored to be selected by the Fulton Board of Education as the sole finalist to lead the Fulton County School System," Lanoue said in the Fulton County news release. "To begin a new endeavor was not a decision I took lightly, but I look forward to working with the board, the staff and the broader community to build on their successes and make this district high performing for all children." 

Lanoue was an assistant superintendent in the Cobb County system when Clarke County hired him in 2009. He was named national superintendent of the year in 2015.

Fulton County is the fourth-largest largest school districts in the state, with 99 schools, 11,500 employees and 94,000 students. It serves both north and south Fulton County outside the City of Atlanta. 

The previous superintendent, Robert Avossa, left for Palm Beach, FL last June.

Lanoue’s note to parents is below.

These nearly 7 years I have spent as the superintendent of the Clarke County School District have been the most professionally rewarding of my entire career. Therefore, it has been a very carefully made and difficult decision for me to take this next step. That being said, today I was named the sole finalist for the position of superintendent of the Fulton County School District, effective later this spring, with a final date yet to be determined.

I want to thank the incredibly passionate and dedicated faculty and staff, who have tirelessly worked to offer our students the best possible education. I want to acknowledge the central office team and building leaders for their incredibly focused dedication to our mission and vision. I also appreciate the support and latitude from the board to enable our district to be creative and innovative. And finally, the daily smiles from our students have kept me going all these years and have served as a constant reminder of why we do what we do. 

We have also enjoyed unparalleled support from the Athens-Clarke County community, and it has been my honor to be part of that story. I know I will continue to hear of success and innovation from the Clarke County School District. Thank you again for your support these last 7 years, as parents are our most important partners. I will always be Proud to be CCSD.