Paulding Schools Interim Superintendent Named Lone Finalist For Permanent Role

PAULDING COUNTY, GA — The Paulding County School District will soon see a familiar face at the district's helm.

Steve Barnette, interim superintendent for Paulding Schools, was named the lone finalist for the permanent superintendent role at Tuesday's Board of Education meeting. Georgia law requires that 14 days pass between a candidate being named a finalist and the appointment becoming official.

The board will vote on final approval Nov. 9.

Barnette has been serving in the interim role since June 1, when former Superintendent Brian Otott retired after 31 years serving the Paulding school district. Before becoming the interim superintendent, Barnette served as the district's chief financial officer since 2013.

Additionally, he was the director of accounting services for the Cobb County School District from 2011-12; senior vice president and chief financial officer for NuLink from 2008-10; chief financial officer for Integrated Broadband Services from 2004-07; and vice president, chief financial officer and controller for Prestige Communications from 1989-2002, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Barnette and his family have called Paulding County home for the last 20 years, according to a news release from the district. His wife, Tracy, is a career educator and teacher at Burnt Hickory Elementary School. They are parents to five children, four of which came through the Paulding school district.