Hart County Superintendent Jaybez (Jay) Floyd announced his retirement at a called Charter System meeting Monday, April 25.
Floyd has been at the helm of Hart County’s school system since summer 2015 and spent 34 years total in education.
Board of Education members voted to accept his retirement effective June 30, 2022. Following his announcement, the board voted unanimously to approve associate superintendent Jennifer Carter as the lone finalist for the superintendent position. A final vote will be made after a 14-day due diligence period, according to a Charter System release.
“I am incredibly grateful for the experiences and relationships this career has brought me,” Floyd said in a statement. “I started at West Rome High School in Rome, Georgia in 1989 at Rome City Schools, then Carson-Newman University, Dalton City Schools, Cartersville City Schools, Lowndes County Schools, and the best time of my career in my hometown for the last seven years.
“It has been a great privilege to be an educator in Hart County. I will miss many aspects of the day-to-day operations, but the time has come to move on. This is the best school board that I have ever been associated with. The toughest part is the bond and trust that we have built over time.”
Floyd went on to thank the board at the time of his hiring for “bringing me here.” That group consisted of Stephanie Burton, Greg Fleming, Angie McGee, Matthew Honiotes and Richard Sutherland.
“I leave you with my career message. Three Commands and One Promise. Proverbs 3:5-6. 1. Trust in the Lord (how?) with all your heart. 2. Lean not on your own understanding. 3. In everything you do acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path,” Floyd’s statement concluded.
Carter has served in her role as associate superintendent since 2014.