Dekalb Schools Stumped After Second Candidate Withdraws

By Martha Dalton

Atlanta – The leading candidate for Dekalb County school superintendent has withdrawn from consideration. Dr. Lillie Cox, of Hickory, North Carolina, notified the school board through her attorney over the weekend. WABE's Martha Dalton reports.

The Dekalb County School Board held a closed-door meeting, following the news that Dr. Cox withdrew. Afterwards, Dekalb Schools spokesman Jeff Dickerson told reporters the board's next step isn't clear:
"There are several options obviously available to the board. One is to start over. One would be, I would image, to interview the remaining candidate of the three. Another option would be to go back and interview candidates 4 and 5."
Cox is the second of three finalists to drop out of consideration for the job. Gloria Davis withdrew two weeks ago, leaving just Arthur Culver, of Champaign Illinois still in the running.
The news of Cox's withdrawl has caused some to speculate that the board may ask interim superintendent Ramona Tyson to reconsider applying for the position. Georgia Representative Mary Margaret Oliver, of Decatur, says that's a good idea:
"I think superintendent Tyson has done an excellent job under very difficult circumstances in the last year. I think she's earned a lot of respect and she's helped move the system forward in a lot of ways."
But Georgia Senator Fran Millar of Dunwoody says the Dekalb schools need a clean slate:
"My own personal opinion, although I think very, very highly of her, I think perhaps what is needed in the Dekalb school system is a fresh look from the outside. Someone with experience and be able to come in and assemble their own team eventually."
But they can't wait too long. Dekalb is facing a tight deadline from their accrediting agency. The board must complete a national superintendent search by October to keep their accreditation. However, the school system says this latest setback won't impact their efforts.
Whoever is finally tapped for the job will replace former Superintendent Crawford Lewis, who was fired just before being indicted on charges he ran a criminal enterprise in the school system.