COVINGTON, Ga. - For the second consecutive year, Newton County School System superintendent, Mrs. Samantha Fubhrey, is one of four finalists for Georgia Superintendent of the Year. According to the Georgia School Superintendents Association, Dr. Jeff Bearden of Forsyth County Schools; Dr. Curtis Jones of Bibb County Schools; and Dr. Michael Duncan of Pike County Schools, are also finalists for the 2019 Georgia Superintendent of the Year award.

“I was honored to have been nominated last year,” Fuhrey said. “But to have my peers select me as one of four finalists again this year is unbelievable. I’m truly grateful for the selection by my colleagues and proud to be included in such an esteemed group as I have the utmost respect for Dr. Bearden, Dr. Jones, and Dr. Duncan.

“I have an amazing team and I am so proud of all that we have accomplished together over the last six years. Our district is not where we wish to be but we are well on the way. I look forward to the continued successes of Newton County School System and our community and I truly appreciate this recognition.”

Fuhrey is in her sixth year as superintendent for Newton County Schools. The first female school superintendent in county history, she has received five contract extensions from the Newton County Board of Education. In 2016, Mrs. Fuhrey was awarded the GSSA President’s Award.

She previously served as the Deputy Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction for Newton County Schools. She has extensive leadership experience at the executive level as she previously served as the Executive Director for Secondary Education, the Director of Secondary Education, and the Director of Professional Learning for Newton County Schools. Before becoming a district administrator, Mrs. Fuhrey was the principal of Indian Creek Middle School in Newton County from 2005 to 2008 after having been promoted from assistant principal, a position she served from 2001 to 2005. Prior to her employment with Newton County Schools, Mrs. Fuhrey worked for the DeKalb County School System as an assistant principal and an English teacher.

Fuhrey earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary English from Marywood University in 1991 and her master’s degree in educational leadership from State University of West Georgia in 2000. She added an education specialist’s degree in educational leadership from Georgia College and State University in 2006.

“Mrs. Fuhrey has proven she has the leadership qualities we want in our school superintendent,” Almond Turner, chair of the Newton County Board of Education, said. “She has a reputation not only in our state but throughout the nation as being an outstanding leader in public education. Every decision she makes is based first and foremost on what is best for the children in our school system. We are most fortunate to have a superintendent who is truly devoted to making sure we provide the very best educational opportunities for our students. The board members and I are grateful for the work Mrs. Fuhrey has done and we are truly proud of her for this accomplishment. She is an outstanding leader and most definitely worthy of the Georgia Superintendent of the Year award.”