Search to begin to replace Howard

 

CHESAPEAKE — The head of the county’s educational center is expected to fill in while the Chesapeake School Board searches for a new district leader.

On June 29, Dr. Scott Howard, who had directed the school district for the past five years, resigned as superintendent. Howard’s resignation is effective July 31.

Now the school board is gearing up for a search for a candidate to replace Howard.

“We decided to ask Jim Payne to to interim superintendent,” Carl Lilly, school board president, said.

Payne is the superintendent of the Lawrence County Educational Service Center.

The board is expected to officially make the request to Payne at its regular meeting on July 23.

At a special session earlier this month the board voted to hire Robert Cross of Cross Management Consulting of Portsmouth to help in the search for new superintendent.

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

The preliminary search plan will focus on advertising in Tri-State and Columbus newspapers, the board president said.

“We are going to take our time, as long as Jim can hang on,” he said. “We really haven’t had a chance to meet and set a timetable.”

The board expects to determine a schedule at its July meeting.

While Payne and Howard have their doctorates, a PhD. is not required to hold the post of school superintendent. In fact, they are the only two superintendents in the county with their doctorates.

However, all candidates must have their superintendent’s certificate. That typically follows an individual first gaining teaching experience and then receiving a master’s in educational administration to become a school principal. Following experience as an administrator and additional course work, an individual can apply for the superintendent’s certificate.

“(It’s) to be more well-rounded on how the whole operation works,” Payne said.

Howard remains on salary through the end of the month and is taking paid vacation.