Allene Magill

Allene Harris Magill, Ed.D., a tireless advocate for student engagement, professional educators and public education, passed away at home on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2018. She was the executive director of the Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE) and former superintendent of three Georgia school districts.

Allene is survived by her husband, Charles Magill, sons Steve (Kim) Magill and Tim Magill, grandchildren Taylor (Ryan) Sterritt, Cassidy (Justin) Evans, Caroline Magill, Riley Magill, Cade Magill and Ty Magill.

Allene was born in Tupelo, Mississippi, on Dec. 27, 1943. She began her teaching career in Hamilton, Mississippi, in 1974 and often talked about the important lessons she learned as an elementary reading teacher with children of poverty. Those early experiences informed all of her efforts with student engagement, effective teaching and professional learning during her storied 44-year career.

All who worked with Allene knew her as an insatiable learner and reader who expected all teachers and leaders to do the same. Her most passionate work as the executive director of PAGE was the organization’s focus on professional learning for educators and the development of initiatives that connected school districts in regional networks that fostered collaboration around student engagement and building relationships with students, parents and their communities.

Allene and her family moved to Paulding County in 1976 where she and Charles were teachers in the Paulding County School District. Allene served two terms as an elected superintendent in Paulding County beginning in 1988 before serving as superintendent in Forsyth County Schools from 1995 to 2000, and in Dalton Public Schools from 2001 to 2003. She then accepted the executive director’s position at PAGE in July 2003 where she served until her passing.

Allene was a visionary leader who saw great potential in people and helped all with whom she worked to do even more than they thought they were capable of doing. She never stopped striving to ensure educators had the support they needed to develop professionally, and to provide the best instruction in the classroom and the highest level of leadership, regardless of position.

Due to her exceptional abilities and knowledge of teaching, learning and operations of schools, Allene had many opportunities to provide leadership throughout Georgia and was often honored for her work. She was twice named Georgia’s superintendent of the year and was named the F.M. Fulbright Outstanding Educator by the Georgia Association of Educational Leaders. Allene served as the president of the Georgia School Superintendents Association, as well as the Georgia Association of Educational Leaders. She also served on the Board of Regents for the University System of Georgia. Allene provided leadership on numerous state committees related to education, most recently on the Education Turnaround Advisory Council, which selected the state’s new chief turnaround officer for struggling schools.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, January 31, 2018, at 2 p.m. from the West Ridge Church, 3522 Hiram Acworth Hwy., Dallas, GA 30157 with Dr. Hayward Cordy and Ricky Clemons officiating.  Interment will follow in Paulding Memorial Gardens Cemetery.  The family will receive friends on Tuesday, January 30, 2018, between 3 and 8 p.m. at Clark Funeral Home, 4373 Atlanta Hwy. Hiram, GA 30141. In lieu of flowers, donations may made to the Dr. Allene Magill Scholarship Fund, PAGE, P. O. Box 942270, Atlanta, GA 31141.