School Superintendent Don Remillard is retiring May 31, 2010 at the end of his 38th year of service to the district. "Douglas County has a great school system because of the high quality people who work here and the outstanding support we have from our community," he wrote in an email to system employees. "While I will miss many things when I retire I will miss the people most of all. It has truly been an honor and a privilege to serve as your superintendent for the past seven years.
I am confident that our School Board members will work diligently to find a high quality person to replace me. I intend to do everything that I can to make the transition for the person they select to be as smooth as possible," Remillard continued. "I want to thank everyone for the support I have had during my tenure with the school system. Please know that I wish each of you success as you move forward with your career."
In making the announcement of Mr. Remillard's retirement during the October 19th Board of Education meeting, Chairman Jimmy Bartlett said, "It is with deep gratitude and sadness that our Superintendent, Don Remillard, will be retiring at the end of the school year on May 31, 2010. After 38 years though, it is not a surprise. Mr. Remillard is a person who has unimpeachable character and has a genuine concern for people - employees and students alike. He has a tremendous record and deserves to retire although we are not looking forward to it." Mr. Bartlett also expressed to Mr. Remillard that it had been a pleasure and privilege to work with him.
Don Remillard's entire professional career has been spent in the Douglas County School System. He joined the district immediately after graduating from Berry College in 1972 as a math teacher at Douglas County High School. Now in his 38th year of service, he has never wavered in his concern for the Douglas County community and its residents.
Board member Larry Barnes said that he had known Mr. Remillard since he went to work at Lithia Springs High School and Mr. Remillard was Mr. Barnes' supervising vice principal. "From that first day until now, I have always respected Mr. Remillard. He is one of the most knowledgeable superintendents in the state and Mr. Remillard genuinely cares about the school system."
"You can see the affection of the staff toward Mr. Remillard and the affection that Mr. Remillard has for the staff and students," said Board Vice Chair Dr. Sam Haskell. Mr. Remillard is a wonderful model of what a superintendent should be." Dr. Haskell also noted that Mr. Remillard has always been willing to listen to his ideas.
As an educational professional, Mr. Remillard taught almost 2,700 students during 21 years of teaching. While he started his career at Douglas County High School, he was on the inaugural faculty at Lithia Springs High School and spent most of his teaching years there. In addition to being a teacher, he has been a CVAE Coordinator, Assistant Principal of Douglas County High School and Lithia Springs High School. He was promoted to the Central Office in 1993 as the Director of Vocational Instruction. He also served as the Director of Secondary Administration before becoming Assistant Superintendent of General Administration in 1997. Mr. Remillard became Superintendent in 2003.
Board member Jeff Morris thanked Mr. Remillard for his 38 years of service. He stated he had known Mr. Remillard since he was a student in the 9thgrade at Douglas County High School.
Following the board member's comments at the meeting, Mr. Remillard thanked everyone for their kind remarks and said that he will miss the people most of all. He promised to make a smooth transition.
In addition to dedicated service to students, parents and staff, Mr. Remillard has also held numerous leadership positions in the Douglas County community and state. They include: Georgia School Superintendent Association, National Educators Association, Georgia Association of Educators, Douglas County Association of Educators, Georgia Association of Educational Leaders, Georgia Middle School Association, Georgia Association of Middle School Principals, Georgia Association of Secondary School Principals, Douglas County Association of Educational Leaders, American Vocational Association, Georgia Vocational Association, Georgia Council of Local Administrators, National Council of Local Administrators, Principals' Association - 7th District, Principals' Association - 6th District, Winston Elementary School Parent Teacher Association, Stewart Middle School Parent Teacher Association, Lithia Springs High School Parent Teacher Association, Douglas County High School Parent Teacher Association, Douglas County High School Tiger Booster Club, Douglas County Youth Soccer Association, Winston Recreation Club, Villa Rica Parks and Recreation, Douglasville Parks and Recreation, Douglas CORE, Douglas County Chamber of Commerce, Metropolitan Regional Education Service Agency, Georgia School Boards Association, Georgia School Superintendents Association, and American Association of School Administrators. Mr. Remillard has also served on the State School Superintendent's Advisory Committee.
Mr. Remillard has held many leadership positions in our community in an effort to make it a better place to live. He currently chairs the Douglas County United Way Board of Directors. He has also chaired the Cobb Douglas Board of Health and is the chairman of the Douglas County Community Services Board. He is a board member on the WellStar Community Health Board. He is on the Board of Directors for MembersFirst Credit Union. He is a charter member of the Chapel Hills Kiwanis Club. Since Mr. Remillard has been an administrator at the Central Office, the school system has opened 14 new schools and currently has a high school under construction. Under his leadership, the Douglas County College and Career Institute opened on the campus of West Georgia Technical College (WGTC) in cooperation with WGTC and the Douglas County Chamber of Commerce. The nationally acclaimed Performance Learning Center was also opened under Mr. Remillard's leadership and initiative.
Mr. Remillard has a passion for students and their education and is well known throughout the state for his expertise in education and leadership abilities. Employees of the Douglas County School System will tell you that they admire Mr. Remillard and the leadership he provides. He is dedicated to the Douglas County Community.
