Citing health concerns, Superintendent Shannon Adams has announced that he will retire from the Jackson County School System at the end of the school year.
Adams — who was named to the district’s top position in 2006 — said in an interview on Thursday that he wanted to continue for two more years as superintendent, but the symptoms of his Parkinson’s disease are worsening.
“Certainly, mentally and emotionally, I would not have had a problem at all (serving two more years), but (Parkinson’s disease) will drag you down,” he said. “The symptoms you have are going to progress at some rate.”
Adams to retire as school system superintendent
Adams was diagnosed with the degenerative nervous system disorder eight years ago, although he said he has had symptoms for 15 years. In the past eight months, the symptoms have worsened — leading to his decision to retire as superintendent.
“My Parkinson’s disease symptoms have been fairly benign for several years, really causing little more than a mild inconvenience,” Adams wrote in an e-mail to school system employees on Thursday. “But during the last few months, some of my symptoms have worsened at a pretty good clip. Parkinson’s is a progressive disorder.”
For its next superintendent, the Jackson County Board of Education will use the Georgia School Boards Association (GSBA) to conduct a search, according to chairperson Lynn Wheeler.
The school board hasn’t discussed a timeline in searching for a new superintendent or where it will look for potential candidates, according to Wheeler. Ideally, the Jackson County School System’s next superintendent will have a transition period with Adams.
“That would certainly be our first choice,” she said on Thursday.
The BOE will likely discuss its options during its next regular meeting on Monday, Nov. 14, at 6 p.m., Wheeler added.
A native of Jefferson, Adams has almost 32 years of experience in education — 26 of which have been in the Jackson County School System.
For the district, he began teaching at Benton Elementary School in 1981. He later served as principal of North Jackson Elementary School from 1985-1990 and principal of Jackson County Middle School (the current location of the Gordon Street Center) from 1990-1996.
Adams then served as principal of Oconee County Elementary School for a year in the Oconee County School System, before returning to the Jackson County School System as director of administrative services from 1997-2000.
He was superintendent of the Oconee County School System from 2000-2004. For a year after that, he served as an administrative consultant for the Jackson County School System before being named assistant superintendent for teaching and learning in 2005.
Adams was named superintendent of the Jackson County School System after former longtime superintendent Andy Byers retired.
“We certainly appreciate Dr. Adams and what he has given to the school system,” Wheeler said.
Adams said he plans to enjoy his retirement by mostly relaxing, although he may do some work as an educational consultant.
Adams and his wife, Myra, a retired school teacher, have two grown daughters and one grandchild.
“My Parkinson’s disease symptoms have been fairly benign for several years, really causing little more than a mild inconvenience,” Adams wrote in an e-mail to school system employees on Thursday. “But during the last few months, some of my symptoms have worsened at a pretty good clip. Parkinson’s is a progressive disorder.”
For its next superintendent, the Jackson County Board of Education will use the Georgia School Boards Association (GSBA) to conduct a search, according to chairperson Lynn Wheeler.
The school board hasn’t discussed a timeline in searching for a new superintendent or where it will look for potential candidates, according to Wheeler. Ideally, the Jackson County School System’s next superintendent will have a transition period with Adams.
“That would certainly be our first choice,” she said on Thursday.
The BOE will likely discuss its options during its next regular meeting on Monday, Nov. 14, at 6 p.m., Wheeler added.
A native of Jefferson, Adams has almost 32 years of experience in education — 26 of which have been in the Jackson County School System.
For the district, he began teaching at Benton Elementary School in 1981. He later served as principal of North Jackson Elementary School from 1985-1990 and principal of Jackson County Middle School (the current location of the Gordon Street Center) from 1990-1996.
Adams then served as principal of Oconee County Elementary School for a year in the Oconee County School System, before returning to the Jackson County School System as director of administrative services from 1997-2000.
He was superintendent of the Oconee County School System from 2000-2004. For a year after that, he served as an administrative consultant for the Jackson County School System before being named assistant superintendent for teaching and learning in 2005.
Adams was named superintendent of the Jackson County School System after former longtime superintendent Andy Byers retired.
“We certainly appreciate Dr. Adams and what he has given to the school system,” Wheeler said.
Adams said he plans to enjoy his retirement by mostly relaxing, although he may do some work as an educational consultant.
Adams and his wife, Myra, a retired school teacher, have two grown daughters and one grandchild.
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Dr. Adams, you and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers! Many thanks for all the work that you have done and the many lives that you have touched. God bless you!