Dougherty County School System offers Dyer three-year contract as new superintendent

ALBANY — The Dougherty County School Board on Wednesday offered Assistant Superintendent and Chief Financial Officer Ken Dyer a contract to become the system’s 12th superintendent.

The contract offer is for three years at $174,000 per year, with a total package, including benefits and annuities, worth $194,660 per year.

After a favorable review by school system attorney Tommy Coleman, the contract will be presented to Dyer for his signature. No further action will be required of the board.

Dyer, who has been with the DCSS Finance office since 2011, will replace outgoing superintendent Butch Mosely, who is stepping down on June 30 with a year remaining on his contract because of health and family reasons.

“We approved the contract unanimously, as did the full board,” said James Bush, who along with fellow board members Robert Youngblood and Melissa Strother made up the contract negotiating committee. “We passed the contract pending legal scrutiny, and if that is successful, we won’t have to look at it again. All Mr. Dyer has to do is sign it.”

Dyer said when he started with the school system six years ago, he never imagined he would one day be superintendent of the system.

“Nope, I never thought about it,” Dyer said. “I am excited by the opportunity to continue the great work done here under Dr. Mosely’s leadership. My first priority will be finding leadership position replacements for myself and (Assistant Superintendent) Jack Willis.

“We have many challenges, but we also have many opportunities that exist. As a Charter System School, we have great flexibility as a system. And I want to use that flexibility to take the system forward and move the needle.”

Mosely, who became superintendent in January of 2012, said his decision to step aside in June was one of the most difficult of his life. That decision, however, was thrust upon him in a short period of time.

Over the Christmas break, Mosely’s wife of 50 years, June, suffered a mini-stroke. Days later, he was diagnosed with a recurrence of bladder cancer. Mosely immediately began chemotherapy treatment and announced he would step down at the end of the school year due to his and June’s health issues.

“It was a difficult decision for me personally, selfishly it was difficult,” Mosely said. “But for the good of my whole family, it was the right decision to make. I definitely didn’t want to do it, but I know I needed to do it and that I had to do it.

“But I truly believe I am leaving the Dougherty County School System in good hands.”