Invest in Yourself: MPI Leadership Development Webinar Series- Session Three

Date and Time: Thursday, April 16 at 12:00 – 12:30 PM on Zoom 

Credits: You will receive credit for attending 

Who Can Attend: Our Leadership Development Webinar Series is only available to MPI Georgia Members

Cost: This series is FREE to MPI Georgia Members. 

Registration Details: MPI Georgia members were provided the Registration Access Code via email. If you require assistance, please email info@mpigeorgia.org. Once registered, learners should be sent the link to the online tool in advance of the session.

Description: The conclusion of our three-part leadership development series features Dr. Robert Downs, current Superintendent of Schools for the Buford City School System. Though none of us would wish for current circumstances related to the Covid-19 pandemic, they present an opportunity to highlight the importance of leadership during time of crisis and unknown. MPI Georgia invites you to take advantage of this remote learning opportunity.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this activity, the learner will better be able to:
- Recognize the benefits of flexing leadership style based on situation- especially during times of crisis and unknown
- Recall components of flexing style and approach

About the Speaker: Dr. Robert Downs currently serves as the Superintendent of Schools for the Buford City School System. Niche.com has ranked BCSS the number One School District in Georgia for six consecutive years.  Before joining Buford City Schools, Dr. Downs was the Assistant Superintendent for Middle Schools in Cobb County oversaw 13 middle schools. Prior to his district leadership role, he served as the principal at Pope High School for five years where he led a staff of more than 140 and provided leadership to 2000 students. Dr. Downs has been in the field of education for 29 years, serving in a variety of capacities ranging from classroom teacher to technology grant administrator. Dr. Downs graduated from the University of Georgia and received his Master’s and Specialist degrees from the University of West Georgia. In 2011, he graduated from Lincoln Memorial University with a Doctorate in Education with a concentration in Executive Leadership.

Dr. Downs has been married to his high school sweetheart, Melissa, for 30 years. They have two amazing children in their late 20s- Kaitlyn and Andrew.

About Buford City School System:  Buford City Schools (BCSS) serves approximately 5,200 students in a campus-like setting of five schools (1 HS, 1 MS and 3 Elementary schools in Grade Bands- Grades 4-5, Grades 1-3, and a Kindergarten school), two performing arts centers, and a multi-purpose arena. Buford City Schools boasts beautiful facilities, including a brand new Buford High School that houses 1500 students, and has a rich tradition of success in academics, arts, and athletics. In August 2019, Niche again named BCS the Number One School District in Georgia—an honor that has been bestowed upon the district for five consecutive years.

BCSS has a diverse population that consists of 51% Caucasian, 30% Hispanic, 12% African American, 4% Asian and 3% Multi-Racial.   Buford City Schools have a Free and Reduced Lunch rate of around 35% and 3 of the 5 schools are Title 1 schools.  The school system employs 580 employees and has a per pupil expenditure of approximately $11,000.