By Denise Etheridge
A familiar face is expected to soon fill the top leadership role at the White County School System.
The White County Board of Education named Assistant Superintendent Jonathan Stribling as the sole candidate for the school superintendent position during a called meeting Thursday night.
The board must wait at least 14 days before taking an official vote to employ Stribling as superintendent.
Superintendent Laurie Burkett will be retiring in late March. The school board began the search for a new superintendent last October. Pioneer RESA helped facilitate the search.
In conjunction with naming Dr. Stribling as the sole finalist, the White County Board of Education is officially releasing his biographical information and will be available for viewing at the White County Board of Education during normal business hours.
“I am deeply honored by the opportunity to serve as the next Superintendent of White County Schools,” Stribling said. “I am grateful to the Board of Education for their trust and look forward to working alongside the outstanding faculty and staff, families, and community of White County to continue the tradition of excellence that defines this district. White County is a place where strong schools and strong community partnership go hand in hand, and I am committed to strive every day to do the best I can to make every program and school in White County the best in the State.”
“Dr. Stribling’s experience in White County, his leadership style and his drive for excellence positions him well to lead White County Schools,” Board Chair Missy Jarrard said. “The Board looks forward to his leadership and is confident that he will continue to strengthen our schools and keep the student’s best interest at the heart of every decision he makes.”
“Great choice,” Burkett commented after the motion was made. “I'm super proud.”
Stribling was named assistant superintendent in May 2024, after having served as principal at Habersham Central High School. Prior to that, he had taught in White County schools.
As assistant superintendent, Stribling oversees the nutrition program, technology operations, nursing program, mental health, social services, human resources, finance, transportation, and facility maintenance/management.
Stribling holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Education Specialist in Administration & Supervision from Lincoln Memorial University, a Masters in Agricultural Extension Education, and a Bachelors in Agriculture from the University of Georgia.
Stribling taught agriculture in White County at both the middle and high schools from 2004-2010. He was on the committee to build the White County Ag Science Center, was advisor of the FFA programs and supervised the White County Cannery operations. An educator for close to 25 years, Stribling got his start as a middle school agriculture teacher in Stephens County.
In other school board business, school board members discussed the ESPLOST VII resolution.
Board members reviewed a proposed list of priority projects that could be placed on the referendum and considered various amounts to set as a possible funding cap.
White County voters will decide whether to continue the ESPLOST in the May 19 election. Voters approved the current ESPLOST in 2020. Revenue from the one-penny sales tax can only be used toward school system capital projects, including facility construction and upgrades, technology and transportation.