Henry County Schools has named Dr. Carl Knowlton as the interim superintendent. This occurs following the resignation of Superintendent Mary Elizabeth Davis. Cherokee County Schools has hired Dr. Davis to be their next superintendent.
Interim Superintendent Dr. Carl Knowlton
Dr. Knowlton will assume the role of interim superintendent effective on March 7. This coincides with Dr. Davis’ last day. The school board confirmed him to be interim superintendent during a special called meeting on February 20.
Dr. Knowlton will lead the district’s day-to-day operations until the school board selects a permanent superintendent. Henry County Schools has shared they intend to utilize an external search firm to aid in selecting the district’s next leader. They plan to have a new leader in place by the start of the 2024–2025 school year.
“I am honored to be called upon to provide consistency, stability, and a seamless transition as our Board of Education undertakes the process of selecting a long-term leader,” said Dr. Knowlton. “I began my career journey as a fifth-grade teacher. Over nearly three decades in the classroom, the principal’s office, and the district office, I’ve learned the importance of positively connecting with school board members, employees, families, businesses, elected officials, and most importantly students. We will continue to ensure that exceptional academic outcomes for all students are not by chance, but an expectation across Henry County Schools.”
“We have no doubt that under the leadership of Dr. Knowlton we will finish this year strong on our way to identifying the next permanent Superintendent for Henry County Schools,” said Board Vice Chair Annette Edwards (Dist. 2). “Together, we will ensure that the 2023-2024 school year remains focused on ‘Winning for Kids’ until the final tassel is turned at graduation.”
About Dr. Knowlton
Dr. Knowlton has been an employee of Henry County Schools since 2002, when he served as an assistant principal at then-Henry County Middle and later Austin Road Elementary.
In July 2008, he became principal of Tussahaw Elementary and led the school for six years before transitioning to the district’s Human Resource Services Division. He served as Executive Director of Human Resources from 2014-2018.
Dr. Knowlton was then appointed to the key role of Chief of Staff for Superintendent Davis, serving in that capacity for three years. He returned to HR in 2021 to his current position as Chief Human Resources Officer.
Dr. Knowlton holds a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education, as well as Master of Education and Education Specialist degrees in educational administration from Arkansas State University. He also earned a Doctor of Education degree in educational and organizational leadership from Nova Southeastern University.
Featured image shows Dr. Knowlton and members of the Henry County school board. Henry County Schools photo. Portions of this article copied from the HCS district press release.
