All 3 DeKalb Superintendent Finalists Withdraw Their Names

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga.,None — DeKalb County is dealing with a major setback in the search for a school superintendent.

Channel 2 has confirmed that all three finalists have now withdrawn their names from consideration.

Arthur Culver, from Champaign, Ill., pulled out Monday night.

Dr. Lillie Cox, who was considered the top finalist, pulled her name out of the running this weekend. Channel 2's Richard Belcher broke the story Friday that six members of the nine-member DeKalb School Board backed Dr. Lillie Cox for the job, but negotiations over her contract were bogged down because of what some board members considered overly generous salary and benefits demands.

The board held a special executive session Monday morning, but members were tight-lipped about what was being discussed.

"We don't have any details or any idea what the substance of that meeting was, if it was about the superintendent search or another matter," DeKalb Schools spokesman Jeff Dickerson said.

But later, sources told Channel 2's Richard Belcher that the board made one last effort to hire her at the secret meeting. The highly unusual offer was approved by five members of the school board, including board vice chairman Paul Womack, but Belcher confirmed that Cox said "no."

The third finalist, Gloria Davis, withdrew weeks ago.

Previous Stories: April 25, 2011: Top Finalist Drops Out Of DeKalb Superintendent Search April 22, 2011: Source: Superintendent Pick Has 'Platinum-Plated' Demands

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