Smoke from the GHSA building: New executive director Scott has Central Georgia ties, takes over this summer
By Michael A. Lough
The Sports Report
centralgasports@gmail.com
When Robin Hines announced his inevitable retirement from the executive director position at the GHSA, he said he’d hang around after that date if needed.
Apparently, he’ll be able to retire on schedule.
The GHSA all but announced his successor on Monday, Dr. Timothy Scott stated as the sole finalist for the job, as chosen by the Board of Trustees.
Hines announced in late November that he was going to retire as of August 1 from the position he’s held since 2017.
Monday’s announcement no doubt puts the association’s members at ease, knowing who the next leader is.
Scott is the superintendent of Dalton Public Schools, and will assume his new role on July 1.
Scott has a degree from Georgia College, and started his education and coaching career at Northside in 1987, moving a few miles away to Warner Robins a decade later as assistant principal.
He then dizzied local observers by returning to Northside as principal in 2001.
Scott was a principal at Dublin and Douglas County before joining the Dalton system as an assistant superintendent, moving to the top spot in 2018.
He keeps alive a Houston County and Central Georgia connection in the GHSA’s top job. Hines was also a principal at Northside, and then spent four years as superintendent of Houston County schools before retiring in 2014.
The GHSA release:
The Board of Trustees of the Georgia High School Association has announced that Dr. Timothy David Scott is the Sole Finalist for the position of Executive Director of the GHSA.
Scott, currently the Superintendent of Dalton Public Schools, will join the GHSA on July 1, 2024, succeeding Dr. Robin Hines when he retires. Hines has served as the Executive Director of the GHSA since 2017.
Scott, who holds degrees from Georgia College, Troy State University and ARGOSY University, has an extensive background as a coach and administrator in Georgia.
Scott began his career in 1987 at Northside High School in Warner Robins where he was head wrestling coach and assistant football coach. He moved to Warner Robins High School as Assistant Principal in 1997 before returning to Northside as Principal in 2001.
Scott also served as Principal at Dublin High School and Douglas County High School before joining the Dalton Public School System as Assistant Superintendent for District Operations in 2015. He became Superintendent of the Dalton system in 2018.
Scott says that a common thread throughout his career “has been and is the collaboration of all stakeholders to share best practices and ideas for the success of every student and our organization.”
Throughout his career, Scott has worked with the Georgia High School Association on numerous occasions, overseeing the hosting of many GHSA events, including a state championship football game.
Scott also has been recognized on multiple occasions by the Georgia School Board Association for his exemplary work. He is a member of the National Association of School Superintendents, the Georgia Association of Educational Leadership, and the Professional Association of Georgia Educations, among other organizations.
“We are excited about Dr. Tim Scott being named sole finalist for the Executive Director position,” said GHSA President Dr. Jim Finch. “Dr. Scott brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the association. It was clear during the search and interview process, Dr. Scott was able to articulate a plan and vision to move the GHSA forward. We look forward to his leadership and are confident he can continue to provide a positive and enriching experience for our student athletes."
Scott’s hiring must be ratified by the GHSA State Executive Committee at its annual Spring Meeting on April 15, 2024 in Macon. Scott would be the seventh Executive Director in the history of the GHSA, following Sam Burke (1939-76), Bill Fordham (1976-91), Tommy Guillebeau (1991-2001), Ralph Swearngin (2001-14), Gary Phillips (2014-17) and Hines (2017-24).