McMahon cited for commitment to education in Sumter County

From Staff Reports

AMERICUS — The Americus-Sumter Chamber of Commerce held its 90th annual meeting in the Rylander Theater Feb. 18. Several community awards were presented to eight community leaders and businesses.

Sumter County Schools’ Superintendent, Dennis McMahon, Ph.D., received an award of special recognition for his commitment to community collaboration, organizational leadership and the enhancement of the quality of education in Sumter County. McMahon will retire at year’s end and relocate to his new Florida home with his wife Cindy to enjoy his life-long love of golf.

In her introduction of the award, Sherrill House, outgoing chair of the Executive Board of the Chamber of Commerce said: "The platform of the Chamber of Commerce has been education first for many years now. We believe in order to have a sound and vibrant community, we must have a dedicated, hard working and well educated work force. We all know that we must have a strong school system and excellent educational leaders in order to maintain and grow our business base. No one has worked harder to push the students in our county and require excellence in education more than this next award recipient. Under his direction, the public school system graduation rate was raised nearly 15 points. It has been under his direction and guidance that we have begun to see students excelling and succeeding."

McMahon’s educational career began in 1967, at Marysville, Mich., High School as a speech teacher. Additionally he coached football and led his team to two undefeated seasons. He began his administrative move to principal in 1969. After serving as principal for eight years, he was named superintendent of Hopkins Public Schools in Hopkins, Mich. Since 1977, McMahon has been superintendent in Hopkins, Vicksburg and Brighton, Mich., and in School District Five in South Carolina with a student population of almost 16,000. Now in his fifth year as auperintendent of Sumter County Schools, McMahon still practices his noted community-listening skills as he seeks ideas and advice from parents, fellow educators, students and other citizens of Sumter County.

McMahon enjoys managing constructive change in education. Too numerous to list, he considers some of his most successful initiatives to include his early and proactive efforts for the continuance of the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) which provided funds for the dramatic improvement of both the interior and exteriors in all schools including transportation and central office buildings. Some three years ago, McMahon, with the cooperation of parents, teachers and students led the adoption of a student dress code for students from Pre-K through 12th grade. A suggested dress code for classroom teachers and school personnel was also adopted.

Addressing most critical public perception issues, McMahon, assisted by local law enforcement officials has worked to improve school discipline. He has seen law involvement in discipline become almost non-existent.

The annual attendance rate for Sumter County Schools reached 97 percent in the last school year due to management leadership from attendance protocol leaders positioned by McMahon.

Soon after his arrival in Sumter County Schools, McMahon organized the formation of community monitor groups. Local clergy, business professionals, citizen/school leadership, and monthly advisory groups meet to share ideas and progress reports from the Sumter County community.

Routinely, McMahon meets with transportation staff, paraprofessionals, secretaries, bookkeepers, custodians, faculty and the administrative leadership of the school district. Proudly, McMahon makes weekly visits to schools and is escorted to classrooms by students.

“I very much appreciate my time in Americus. This is a great place. Our staff and community have worked so hard to make many positive changes in our school district. This recognition by the Americus-Sumter County Chamber of Commerce is greatly appreciated. The Chamber has been a strong supporter of our school district and great partners with our staff, Board and students who all have worked toward improving our school district,” says McMahon.

In his office, McMahon closely monitors all activity in Sumter County Schools.

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