A Thank You to Superintendent Fuhrey
Fuhrey recognized by Governor Kemp as State of Georgia Superintendent of the Year.
As a Representative on the local School Board, one of the most important decisions we make is hiring a new School System Superintendent. And that will prove to be a difficult decision since the previous Superintendent is indeed Super. Ms. Furey served in Newton County for 20+ years in various different roles from classroom teacher, to school principal, to county office coordinator, and finally to Superintendent. She served in that primary leadership role for 10 years. That’s an eternity in “Superintendent” years.
So, we begin our search for her successor. It will be tough. But this Board is up to the task.
Below are the words I spoke to her, with shaky voice, at the meeting when she announced her retirement. I will miss her leadership. But I will miss her more as a friend.
[This was first published in the Covington News, March 21, 2023.]
I’ve had the privilege of serving alongside Ms. Fuhrey for the last seven years. Some pastors and theologians see the number seven as significant. In some Ancient Near Eastern cultures, like the Biblical Israelites, the number seven indicated “fullness” or “completeness.” And for you to even consider retirement from this position then the time must be complete. You have fulfilled your mission with the Newton County School System.
It has been an honor to watch you lead at such a high level. It has been humbling to see how effortlessly you display the character of a true organizational leader. You have great integrity. A great family support system. And you’ve built an incredible team here and together, you have produced incredible results.
You and I have not always agreed on every decision and not always aligned on philosophy, but you always listened and were open to my thoughts and ideas, even the crazy ones. I count you as a close friend and someone I admire greatly. We have led through trying economic times, education disruptions during a global pandemic, and we’ve grieved the tragic loss of faculty, students, and even one of our own board members, our friend and mentor Almond Turner. So, we’ve been through a lot of highs and lows, calm seas and stormy weather, and you have been a steady captain of this ship and crew.
Contrary to what some believe, you have led apolitically. In other words, you never made decisions based on political leanings, or the noise of media, you always did what you thought was best for the children. Your first thought is always, “what is best for our kids.” And people will never know all the times you personally gave of your time, your energy, money out of your own pocket to help kids in our system. You didn’t mind helping the one, even if you couldn’t help everyone. Because you saw each kid individually. No one can ever question whether or not you cared. You care deeply. You have a huge heart for kids and for their future successes. And it has always been obvious to those around you.
Whoever is next for Newton County will have big shoes to fill. And I don’t know if anyone will fill those ruby red slippers, make us think about hedgehogs, or challenge us to remember extremely long acronyms that are basically the fruit of the spirit from the book of Galatians. But we won’t be looking for another Samantha Fuhrey, cause there is only one. Whoever comes next will do things differently, say things differently, but, they’ll have to stand on your shoulders and respect the foundations of greatness you’ve established.
Newton County School System is better because you served.
This governance team is better because you served.
Our community is better because you served.
I am a better person because you served.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
