Year in Review: Burton-Brown Takes the Helm as Franklin Co School Superintendent

As we continue our look back at the big stories of 2023, in January, the Frankin County Board of Education announced that Assistant School Superintendent Melanie-Burton Brown was the sole finalist for the position of School Superintendent for the Franklin County Charter School System.

The announcement came at the Board’s January 12 work session.

Burton-Brown had worked in the Franklin County School System her entire career. At the time of her nomination as the sole finalist, she was the Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning.

In making the announcement, Board Chair Robin Cato noted that Burton-Brown had worked closely with the late Superintendent Chris Forrer who passed away in November 2022, and is very familiar with the policies and procedures he put in place.

For that reason, Cato said the school system could move forward seamlessly.

“It has, as it always does, falls upon the Board to start our search for a Superintendent,” she said. “We chose not to do a superintendent search. We as a Board are very very pleased to make a recommendation as our sole finalist with full support to name Melanie Burton-Brown to be our next Superintendent.”

Former acting School Superintendent Chuck Colquitt said he knows the Franklin County Charter System will be in good hands.

“I’m so proud of the fact that Mrs. Burton-Brown will be leading the charge for Franklin County. I know she spent her entire career here. She was born and raised here. She’s a Lion at heart and bleeds green,” he said. “I think you couldn’t leave this school system in better hands. I’m so pleased with the choice and I’m glad to support her in any way possible.”

After the vote, Burton-Brown said she was honored to be selected and excited to continue the work begun by Chris Forrer.

After waiting the required 14 days the Board voted to officially hire Burton-Brown as the new school Superintendent for Franklin County on January 24.

She began work as the new Superintendent on May 1.