When Verdell Jones called Debra Frazier to ask her to be the Liberty County School System interim superintendent, Frazier gave a quick, emphatic and affirmative reply.
“I said, ‘Mrs. Frazier, we need your help,’” Jones, who chairs the Liberty County Board of Education, recalled Tuesday at a reception for the interim superintendent. “And she said to me, ‘I’ll do anything I need to to help the district.’ That speaks to the heart of a person.”
By state law, a school system has to have a superintendent in place July 1. Following Dr. Franklin Perry’s departure when his contract expired, Frazier stepped in to lead the system of nearly 10,900 students and more than 1,400 employees.
“When the board got into the position where we saw we weren’t going to meet the July 1 deadline, we had to drop back and punt,” Jones said. “When we did that, we had to look around and see.”
Administrators, teachers and others greeted Frazier, often trading hugs with her.
“I’m here because I love Liberty County Schools,” she said. “I could have stayed at the house but I have a passion for what I do.”
Frazier began a 40year career in the Liberty County School System in 1984 and retired in 2024 as the principal of Liberty County High School.
“We know she has not only a heart to do this work for the children, for the staff, for the community, but she also has the desire to step in and help,” Jones said. “We are elated as we go through and finish this process.”
Frazier has been a paraprofessional, middle school teacher, curriculum specialist, assistant principal, district level curriculum specialist and middle school principal.
“I have stood in your shoes,” Frazier told well-wishers. “So when I say I understand, I really understand. I am going to make sure your needs are met. I am going to make sure my scholars get what they need so they can experience success.”
Frazier said she will continue to be a role model and model the role. Teachers return to classes July 30, and students begin the 2025–26 school year August 6.
“She is well-versed and the board is elated to have her help us get through this process,” Jones added.
“She is going to do well,” added board member Donita Strickland.
Jones acknowledged the trust and respect Frazier has built up through the school system will be a benefit during her time as interim superintendent. “That is so important,” she said. “It is incumbent upon the board to choose a superintendent, and it’s a hard task. We are looking for someone who come in and be a part of the community and make sure our kids get a quality education. That’s why the process is so extensive. But when we can have somebody who is here and understands this system, understands this district, understands this community, step in like this — out of retirement — to help us, to God be the glory.”
Frazier has been helping out with the school system, even in retirement, working to train some of the system’s leaders, Jones said.
Jones said the search for a permanent replacement is open and active.
