How Would You Rate Superintendent Evans' Tenure in Forsyth?

Patch Staff Report

At the Forsyth County Board of Education meeting on Thursday,  Superintendent L.C. (Buster) Evans notified the Board of his plan to retire from the field of public education on June 30, 2014.

Though retiring from public education, Dr. Evans plans to continue working on learning and career development opportunities for adults.

Dr. Evans joined Forsyth County Schools in 2007. He served for 30 years in public education, including 7 years as superintendent of Forsyth County Schools and 11 years as superintendent of Bleckley County Schools. 

“Forsyth County Schools has a belief that ‘expectations influence accomplishments because everyone has the capacity to learn’,” said Board Chairperson Darla Light in a news release. “From his leadership in and outside the system to his outside interests and hobbies, Dr. Evans embodies the idea of building personal capacity for lifelong learning. He sets the example with his high personal expectations and is an inspiration to all.”

How Would You Rate Superintendent Evans Tenure in Forsyth? Let us know in the comment section below.

As superintendent of Forsyth County Schools, Dr. Evans led the district through unprecedented times. Despite revenue loss and operational reductions, the district has continued to grow 1,700 students a year. With this student growth, Forsyth County Schools was named the third fastest growing school district in the nation.

To address these challenges Dr. Evans implemented numerous cost saving measures while still maintaining the lowest millage rate in metro-Atlanta. An example of this is the district’s IE2accountability contract with the Georgia Department of Education which provides the school system flexibility from state mandates in exchange for increased accountability.

As a result of the district’s IE2 work,Forsyth County Schools saved millions of dollars, CRCT, ACT and SAT scores improved, and the high school graduation rate was named the highest in the state.

Dr. Evans’ technology influence brought many new 21st century initiatives to the school district. Forsyth County Schools hosted hundreds of educators from across North America to share teachers’ and students’ success with BYOT (Bring Your Own Technology).

Because of the district’s progressive use of technology, Forsyth County Schools was awarded one of 16 i3 federal grants to develop and implement a personalized learning system. This was the only grant awarded in Georgia and its implementation has the potential to improve learning across the state.

As superintendent of Forsyth County Schools, Dr. Evans also worked on behalf of students and teachers at the state level. He represents the Forsyth County community as a trustee and chairman of the Teacher’s Retirement Service of Georgia, a position he has served in since 2006. Currently, Dr. Evans serves on the Governor’s Education Advisory Board, Digital Learning Task Force, Superintendents Education Policy Advisory Group at the University of Georgia, and the Georgia Education Solutions Group.

Among his list of many accomplishments is having served as president of the Georgia Association of Educational Leaders, president of the Georgia School Superintendents Association, a graduate of Leadership Georgia, and a three-time finalist for the Georgia Superintendent of the Year honor.

The Board of Education will release a superintendent search timeline this week.  For more information contact Chairperson Darla Light at dlight@forsyth.k12.ga.us.

Forsyth County Schools supplied information for this report that was edited for publication.