Sam Sweat is an inductee in the second class of the Starr’s Mill Hall of Fame.

Sweat was the first principal of Starr’s Mill and helped open the school in 1997. He stayed with the school until 2005 when he became the assistant superintendent for Fayette County Board of Education. Following this, he served as the deputy superintendent from 2013-2016 when he retired. 

“We piloted the student effort at Starr’s Mill,” Sweat said.

Sweat’s main focus during his time was creating a sense of community within the school. He focused on encouraging parents to be involved in their children’s academic life. It was a way to discourage any bad behaviors by being preoccupied in outside activities.

“We had tons of involvement with our PTSO and school camps,” Sweat said.

He became principal while the current building was under construction. Sweat was assisted by parents to build the football fieldhouse. While he was principal, Starr’s Mill had the highest scores on the SATs in the county in 2002.

“We spend more time at school than we do at home,” Sweat said.

At the time of his induction, Sweat has come out of retirement and is currently the director of special projects for Fayette County. 

“I just do some consulting with the Board if they need me,” Sweat said.

Sweat was born in Albany, Georgia. He graduated from Georgia Southern before getting his Master’s degree from Augusta College and his Specialist’s degree from West Georgia. He entered Fayette County as the assistant principal of Fayette County High School, seven years before Starr’s Mill opened.

Two of his sons, Adam and Matthew, graduated from Starr’s Mill. Adam works in sales and Matthew is a corporate attorney.

“I am humbled that I have been asked to be in the Hall of Fame,” Sweat said. “I appreciate the opportunity to be there with my family and friends.”