WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) – One school board is closer to hiring new leadership after firing the previous superintendent, Dr. Charles Foust.
The New Hanover County School Board met on Tuesday to discuss next steps to replace Dr. Foust. The board said their long-term goal is to find a permanent replacement.
“We’re gonna look at the very bestpersono, because obviously, that’s kind of our CEO, moving ahead,” said NHCS Chairman Pete Wildeboer.
But before they name a permanent leader, the board wants to hire an interim.
“There was a lot of discussion about not just somebody to fill the seat, but someone that can actually continue moving the school system in the right direction,” said Wildeboer.
The board voted to get help from the North Carolina School Board Association for its search. The group will submit a list of potential candidates to the board for consideration.
“Time is of the essence. I mean, I think the superintendent search is going to take a lot longer, I believe. So if we’re trying to get into an interim quicker, I would like guidance,” said NHCS Board Member Stephanie Walker.
Members also stressed not rushing into making this decision, taking a hint from the recent climate survey of teachers and staff, that did not paint the board in the best light.
“One of the things that came out of our survey was that the board acts impulsively and doesn’t plan. We need to take that into account as well,” said NHCS Board Member Stephanie Kraybill.
“You know, the climate survey was very telling, about senior leadership, but also about the school board,” said Wildeboer.
Dr. Christopher Barnes is the school system’s acting superintendent, currently.
He will do the job until the interim leader arrives.
The board could name the interim superintendent as early as August 6.
Board members will decide the criteria for a new leader, and a timeline for the hiring process next week.
Chairman Pete Wildeboer also said tonight the school board will pay the rest of Dr. Foust’s contract using the system’s fund balance.
That amount will be calculated and then announced to the public after the board consults with their attorneys.
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