Embattled Rockdale County Public Schools Superintendent Terry Oatts announces retirement

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA – Rockdale County Public Schools Superintendent Terry Oatts announced his plan to retire, effective Friday, Feb. 14, after the board went into a lengthy executive session on Thursday night (Feb. 13). 

Rockdale County Board of Education accepted  Oatts’ retirement and appointed Shirley Chesser, currently Chief Academic Officer, as Acting Superintendent, effective immediately. Oatts will remain a consultant for the district through March 31, 2025, to ensure a smooth transition, district officials announced. The board passed the resignation unanimously 7-0.    

Oatts’ retirement announcement follows a battle with the Rockdale Board of Education over changes he requested in December 2024 for a contract that he signed in 2023 extending his term through the 2026-2027 school year. The board rejected the request. Oatts also faced criticism from members of the public over performance and other issues.   

Oatts has spent 31 years in public education and was in his seventh year as Superintendent of RCPS. 

“This is not an easy decision after so many years in public education, but one that is best for my family and me. I look forward to new and exciting pursuits as I create my next chapter. Being superintendent of Rockdale County Public Schools has been the most rewarding professional experience in my career and has been an immense honor,” said Oatts. “I have enjoyed serving the students, staff, and this community. I am proud of the work we have done and the accomplishments during my tenure. I am confident that Rockdale County Public Schools will continue to be a great school system to learn, teach, and thrive.”

“We congratulate Dr. Oatts on his retirement and wish him the best,” said Board Chairwoman Sandra Jackson-Lett. “We appreciate all that he has done for the children and families of Rockdale County. We look forward to working with Shirley Chesser to move this school district forward.”

As superintendent of Rockdale County Public Schools, Oatts and RCPS have amassed many notable achievements, the district stated in a news release. Those achievements include accelerated Advanced Placement (AP) achievement, a resurgence of students identified as AP Scholars, all three high schools having been recognized as AP Honor Schools, a record number of Governor’s Honors program (GHP) nominees and semifinalists named, rising gifted student eligibility and enrollment, and most notably, increased graduation rates to its highest ever 88.75%.

“RCPS has seen gains on state assessments and exceeded both the region and the state on multiple Georgia Milestones Assessments, increased career pathway enrollment, increased career pathway course offerings, increased career pathway completion, increased enrollment in Work-Based Learning and Youth Apprenticeship programs, and increased End-of-Pathway Assessment achievement. Importantly, RCPS has seen steady gains in its CTAE Graduation Rate with our current rate being the highest ever at 99.5%.

Additionally, Oatts was instrumental in bringing Georgia Military College to Rockdale County, giving high school students, graduates and community members easy access to higher education. During his tenure, Dr. Oatts prioritized the safety and wellbeing of students and staff, implementing multi-layered safety enhancements including a clear bookbag policy, the purchase and use of OpenGate weapons detection systems, and installing the EPIC rapid alert system throughout the district. He also secured a partnership with Kids-Doc-On-Wheels, the first of its kind, to give students and families access to healthcare that might not otherwise be attainable,” the district stated.