Deal is done for new Bibb superintendent

The Bibb County school board voted unanimously Thursday to approve Curtis L. Jones as the district’s new superintendent.

Board members signed off on his contract three weeks after naming him the sole finalist for the job.

Jones was in attendance to sign the contract, which contained new details regarding his start date and compensation. He will make a base salary of $210,000 plus benefits, which includes an $800-a-month travel allowance, according to the contract.

“This is an exceptional moment for me,” Jones said. “I thank the board of education for demonstrating the trust and confidence in me. I will do my very best to help the school system move forward. I promise and pledge that I will work with you to the very best of my ability.”

The 59-year-old administrator graduated from Griffin High School in 1973, attended the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and then spent 20 years as an officer in the Army, retiring as a lieutenant colonel.

Jones’ education career started in 1997 when he returned to Griffin High as a JROTC instructor. He served as principal of the high school from 2001-05, then was promoted to assistant superintendent for administrative services until being appointed as Griffin-Spalding superintendent in 2009.

Jones was recently one of four finalists for Georgia’s Superintendent of the Year and is president-elect of the Georgia School Superintendents Association.

He is scheduled to begin his new job by April 6.

“We’re working out his transition as we speak,” school board President Thelma Dillard said.

In an interview earlier this month, Jones said one of the first things he’ll work on is an assessment of the school system.

Dillard said the board will give him the time he needs to do that and won’t “tie his hands.”

To contact writer David Schick, call 744-4382.

This story was originally published March 19, 2015 at 7:54 PM.