Floyd Co. Schools Superintendent Lynn Plunkett Announces Retirement
Story + Photography by Skye Hannah for the Rome News-Tribune in Rome, Georgia.
(Top) Floyd County Schools Superintendent Lynn Plunkett (right) receives a hug from Nancy Griffin, executive director of Floyd Communities in Schools, at the end of the Board of Education meeting where she announced her retirement in Rome, GA, April 3, 2012. (Skye Hannah/Rome News-Tribune)
(Bottom) Floyd County Schools Superintendent Lynn Plunkett reacts as she receives applause from board members George Bevels (center) and David Johnson at the end of the Board of Education meeting where she announced her retirement in Rome, GA, April 3, 2012. (Skye Hannah/Rome News-Tribune)
Floyd County Schools Superintendent Lynn Plunkett announces retirement
By: Skye Hannah, Staff Writer, Rome News-Tribune
Published: April 4, 2012
Board members, colleagues and parents gathered around Floyd County Schools Superintendent Lynn Plunkett with hugs and well-wishes after she announced her retirement effective Dec. 1, 2012, at the end of the Board of Education meeting Tuesday.
Plunkett said she reached the decision “after much prayerful consideration and many hours of discussions” with her family that she looks forward to spending more time with.
“I truly love my job and this school system and have enjoyed my 11 years here, especially the last 4 1⁄2 years as superintendent,” she said. “It has been an honor and privilege for me to serve my home town community which helped shape so much of my life.”
Nancy Griffin, executive director of the non-profit program Rome-Floyd Community in Schools, embraced Plunkett after the meeting as nearby colleagues smiled and wiped away tears. “I’m just in shock,” Griffin said. “It will be a great loss to us. We all love her as a superintendent.”
“It has been a fun-filled, most of the time, four and a half years, and we’re going to miss her,” board member George Bevels said with a smile.
Plunkett is a graduate of Coosa High School, and during her time working in the system helped to make the honors academic program become one of the top programs in the area, according to a FCS press release.
She worked with community members to transition the system to become one of Georgia’s first charter systems and to develop the Floyd County Schools College and Career Academy. She has additionally served as assistant superintendent.
“I cannot begin to express to each of you my appreciation for the support and encouragement that you have given me over the years as we have forged partnerships within our school system and within the community that have created more and better opportunities for our students,” Plunkett said. “We have worked as a team to do whatever was needed in order to further the mission of this school system ... to provide a quality education for a quality life.”
Plunkett has served on the superintendent group Board of Governors, representing Georgia superintendents on the American Association of School Administrators. She was a member of the transition team for John Barge when he was elected State Superintendent of Schools for Georgia and is currently serving on the Charter Advisory Committee for Georgia.
She expressed special appreciation at the meeting to her close-knit family and mother, Edna McGill, for the support they offered her throughout her years of working with the school system.
“My mom is the single most influential person in my life,” said Plunkett.
During the next few months before her official retirement Plunkett said she will continue to lead the system and pledged to be on hand to work with the Board as they transition to a new superintendent.
“This is the greatest privilege other than raising my children that I have ever had,” Plunkett said. “The school system is very special to me. I’m going to leave it in good hands.”