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The Troup County Board of Education has announced Dr. Rachel B. Hazel as the sole finalist for Superintendent of the Troup County School System. Currently serving as the Deputy Superintendent of Volusia County Schools in Deland, Florida, Dr. Hazel offers a wealth of experience and leadership.

The superintendent search began in February when the board partnered with McPherson & Jacobson, LLC, an executive recruitment and development firm. This is the same firm used in the nationwide search when the board hired Dr. Shumate in 2019.

During the process, 33 qualified applications were received nationwide and locally. McPherson & Jacobson consultants reviewed, screened, and conducted extensive background checks on all applicants before presenting their findings to the board.

Four of those 33 applicants participated in a series of day-long in-person interviews and feedback sessions with community stakeholders, parents, teachers, and TCSS administrators, culminating with Board of Education interviews.

Pending final board approval following a required 14-day waiting period, Dr. Hazel will succeed Dr. Brian T. Shumate, who will retire in June.