Career Review of Dallemand’s Time in Bibb County

 MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Bibb County School’s Superintendent Dr. Romain Dallemand’s career in middle Georgia has not been without controversy. From the ‘Macon Miracle’ to recent lawsuits, his decision to resign Monday was welcomed by some, and a disappointment for others.

Dallemand’s main objective since his start in Bibb County was the ‘Macon Miracle.’ A plan he estimated would save the district millions of dollars. However, his tenure was met with opposition starting with his base pay of $198,000. Dallemand came to Bibb County from Rochester, Minnesota.

It was his goal to meet with every school in the district to assess performance, then present his strategic plan based on his findings. After his presentation to the Bibb County School Board, Dallemand came under fire when he announced he would be making a trip to Belgium with two other district representatives to show off his plan. The nearly $9,000 trip sparked outcry amongst several Bibb County residents. Dallemand then paid his own way for that trip.

In June 2012, an online petition from residents called for an investigation into Dallemand’s resume, saying he lied about being a licensed therapist while in Florida. Dallemand said he wasn’t the one with the license, but worked for someone who had one.

That July, more scrutiny popped up for Dallemand when then school board member Gary Bechtel sued the superintendent for posting information on the district’s website regarding Bechtel’s son’s grades.

A spike in violence and weapons on school grounds that Fall, resulted in Dallemand publicly addressing those issues and bulking up discipline within schools.

In recent months, Dallemand’s contract renewal was approved for another 3 years. Once more, controversy didn’t shy away. Newly elected school board members Jason Downey and Lester Miller were asked to be included in the discussion of extending Dallemand’s contract, but that request was ignored.

Another lawsuit regarding that renewed contract resulted, when a parent said the agenda from the night of the meeting was misleading. There was nothing indicating that a vote would take place after executive session. The board did not inform him that they would be voting to reinstate Dallemand.

After Monday night’s executive session, 41NBC reached out to members of the school board – they declined to comment on Dallemand’s resignation.