December 13, 2022 - The Monroe County Board of Education approved the retirement of Superintendent Dr. Mike Hickman at the end of the 2022-2023 school year. Dr. Hickman is in his 30th year as an educator and says it’s time to focus on the next phase of his life.
“Monroe County Schools is a wonderful place to work. I’m fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with such great people in the school district over the years,” said Dr. Hickman. “I’m also confident that the future is extremely bright for the students, staff, and parents in the Monroe County School System.”
The board said it will conduct a thorough search for the next superintendent. In a staff meeting Tuesday, Board Chair Dr. Priscilla Doster said it will be difficult to replace Dr. Hickman because there’s no one else exactly like him.
Dr. Mike Hickman spent his first eight years in the classroom as a science teacher and athletic coach before becoming an Assistant Principal at Mary Persons High School. He served three years as Assistant Principal at Mary Persons High School from 2001 to 2004. Dr. Hickman served as an Assistant Principal at Pike County Elementary School in Zebulon, Georgia, for two years from 2004 to 2006. Dr. Hickman served as Principal of Banks Stephens Middle School from 2006 to 2011 and served as the Assistant Superintendent for Personnel and Middle/High Education in Monroe County Schools from 2011 to 2015. He was named Interim Superintendent by the Board of Education in May of 2015 and was approved as Superintendent in December of 2015.
He earned his Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University, his Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Georgia College & State University, and his Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from Mercer University. He is currently a member of the Georgia Association of Educational Leaders (GAEL), Georgia School Superintendents Association (GSSA), and Past President and current member of Forsyth/Monroe County Rotary Club. He also serves on the Board of Control for Middle Georgia Regional Educational Services Agency (MGRESA) and is a board member on the Monroe County Board of Health.
He is a long time resident of Forsyth and graduated from Mary Persons High School in 1984. Dr. Hickman has been married to his wife Dana for 37 years. They have two daughters, Becky and Lauren. When not working, he enjoys walking, playing golf, and spending time with his family.