Gwinnett Daily Post

Jim Steele

SUWANEE -- After 36 years with Gwinnett County Public Schools, the district's chief operations officer has announced his plans to retire at the end of the month.

In an email statement, Jim Steele said he planned to "move on to pursue some of several new opportunities and interests."

While Steele could not be reached for comment on Tuesday, Superintendent J. Alvin Wilbanks spoke his piece on Steele's service to the local school system.

"(He) has had a long and very successful career with Gwinnett County Public Schools," Wilbanks said. "His knowledge and experience are recognized by many. And a great number of our operational success stories can be attributed to his leadership."

In his email, Steele thanked the community: "I never dreamed of the kind of support I have had from my staff, my peers, the teachers and principals, citizens, business associates and boards that I have worked for."

Steele said his last day will be Nov. 30.

Steele has garnered numerous recognitions on behalf of the district, including guiding his division to earn the Georgia Oglethorpe Award for Performance Excellence.

A replacement has not been named to fill the position of chief operations officer.