School Board Names Superintendent Finalist

The Fulton County Board of Education has announced that Robert Avossa is its finalist for the position of Fulton County School System superintendent. Following a 14-day public comment period, which begins today, the board plans to formally tender the position to Avossa to replace the retiring Cindy Loe. 

“Robert Avossa’s educational philosophy has been shaped by his personal and professional experiences. He is a strong coalition builder who believes that every child can learn,” said Linda Schultz, Fulton County School Board president, in a written statement. “Robert has worked in systems that are as large or larger than Fulton and he knows how to include all stakeholders in the educational process. He has particular expertise leveraging data-driven accountability programs and demonstrated results in raising the bar and closing the gap. He will bring his vision and his skill to help us improve on what has been started in Fulton."

Avossa currently serves as chief strategy and accountability officer for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) in North Carolina. CMS is one of the largest systems in the country with more than 135,000 students. In this role, Avossa has led the district in driving key performance management initiatives. The accountability group managed district and state testing, conducted independent research on student and teacher performance, and developed a platform and formative assessments for the district’s 2014 strategic plan. 

“I am honored at the prospect of joining the Fulton County School System,” Avossa said in a written statement. “Fulton has a well-deserved reputation for excellence and education innovation. In particular, the school board has made student achievement its highest priority and I look forward to working with them as well as school leaders and the community in making this happen.”

Before assuming his current role in 2009, Avossa served as the area superintendent of the district’s South Learning Community and as chief of staff to the superintendent. He joined CMS in 2006 after more than a decade in Florida schools as a teacher and principal.

Avossa has a diversity of experience with key roles at the elementary, middle and high school levels. He has been a teacher in middle and high schools, principal of a large Title I elementary school, and the principal of a comprehensive high school with more than 3,250 students. His work in these positions earned Avossa the designation as Young Educator of the Year in 2003.  In addition to his educational leadership, he was active with the community and was a member of the Leadership Charlotte Class of 2008.

Avossa holds a bachelor’s degree in exceptional education and behavior disorders as well as a master’s degree in special education, both from the University of South Florida. He also holds a specialist’s degree in educational leadership from Nova Southeastern University. He is a doctoral candidate at Wingate University with an expected graduation date of summer 2011.

Avossa and his wife, Kellee, have two school-aged children. Special meet-and-greet opportunities with Avossa are being planned and will be announced this week.