Henry County Board of Education Selects Sole Finalist for Superintendent

The Henry County Board of Education announced Dr. John Pace III as the sole finalist to serve as the district’s next Superintendent during a special called meeting on July 22. The five-member board voted unanimously for Dr. Pace, who currently serves as Deputy Superintendent for Miami-Dade County Public Schools in Florida, to lead Georgia’s eighth-largest school district.

Following a 14-day waiting period required by Georgia law, the board will vote to confirm the appointment and set the new Superintendent’s start date and contract.

“I am so grateful to be part of a community who has shared this process with us. We gave serious consideration to the input from our community, and we are so thankful for that input,” said Board Chair Sophe Pope (Dist. 4). “Participants in our survey wanted a Superintendent with experience as a principal, teacher, and assistant superintendent. Dr. Pace checks all those boxes. They wanted a leader who promoted vision, culture, and instructional leadership, with a background in operations, resource, and personnel management. He has extensive experience in all those areas. Most importantly, they wanted a leader who is honest and ethical, and I believe Dr. Pace is that person.”

Dr. Pace holds a Doctor of Education degree in educational policy, planning, and leadership from The College of William and Mary, a Master of Science degree in music education from Florida International University, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in music/business finance from the University of Miami.

As Deputy Superintendent of Miami-Dade County Public Schools since 2022, Dr. Pace has assisted Superintendent Dr. Jose Dotres by overseeing the Office of School Leadership and Performance and the daily operation of 350 traditional K-12 schools and technical colleges serving more than 240,000 students. Dr. Pace previously served as Chief Operating Officer of School Operations (2021-2022), Region Superintendent of the Central Region Office (2017-2021), and Administrative Director of the Education Transformation Office in the Division of Academic Support (2015-2017).

His district-level administrator roles were preceded by more than a decade in school-level leadership, including as principal of Myrtle Grove K-8 Center (2011-2015), assistant principal of Norland Elementary School (2007-2011), and school administrator for the William H. Turner Technical Adult Center (2007-2011). Before that, he spent seven years in the classroom as a music instructor, jazz band director, and co-concert and marching band director for Miami Norland Senior High School.

“Thank you to the Henry County Board of Education for this opportunity. I am humbled and honored to be considered and selected as a finalist for the Superintendent of Henry County Schools,” said Dr. Pace. “I look forward to working with the students, parents, employees, and community in the continued ‘Pursuit of Exceptional’ in HCS.”