CHESAPEAKE — In a special session Monday night, the Chesapeake Board of Education accepted the resignation of superintendent Dr. Scott Howard.

Howard submitted his resignation on Friday after serving almost five years as the superintendent. The resignation effective July 31. The board tabled accepting it at that meeting until getting legal advice.

He will be on vacation for that time, receiving salary for time worked of approximately $400 a day. Also according to his contract, he will receive pay for half of his accumulated sick days and 100 percent of his accumulated vacation for a total of approximately $50,000 in addition to his vacation salary.

The board had considered hiring an interim superintendent, but decided not to go that route right now.

“We figure it would be better not to get an interim until his term is up,” Carl Lilly, Chesapeake school board president, said. “It came up so quickly. (We have) nobody in mind yet.”

The school board also voted to use Cross Management of Portsmouth to help in the search for a new superintendent and possibly an interim.

“He is very familiar with most school boards in several counties,” Lilly said.

The board also discussed hiring a project manager for the ongoing construction of a new athletic complex at the high school. The district had to rebid the second phase of the project after only one bid was submitted and that was almost $200,000 more than the architect’s estimate.

“We will be looking for (a manager),” Lilly said. “You need someone on the project to check each phase, to make sure the plans are followed and who is familiar with construction.”

When the complex was first proposed, the goal was to have it ready for football season. However, delays have changed that prospect. The project might be ready for spring track season.