The Georgia School Superintendents Association has named Fayette County Public Schools’ Dr. Joseph Barrow the 2017 Georgia Superintendent of the Year.

Barrow joined the school system in 2013. Before coming to Fayette, he was superintendent of Ware County Schools, and is also the former president of the GSSA. This marks the second consecutive year that Barrow has been named a finalist for the state’s highest honor bestowed to a superintendent. A total of 17 nominations were received from throughout the state for this year’s competition.

Barrow was named a finalist earlier this year along with Dr. Jason Branch of Oconee County Schools; Dr. Allen McCannon of Madison County Schools; and Dr. Gordon Pritz of Douglas County Schools.

As Georgia’s superintendent of the year, Barrow will represent the state in the American Association of School Administrators National School Superintendent of the Year competition.

The announcement of Georgia’s superintendent of the year was made at the annual GSSA/Georgia School Boards Association conference held on December 2.