WILMINGTON — Following a quarter-million-dollar payout last week as part of a deal to separate from Dr. Tim Markley, the New Hanover County Schools (NHCS) district is without a top administrator — it may be some time before a permanent replacement is found.
Related: Why didn’t New Hanover County’s School Board fire Superintendent Markley?
Friday’s announcement that NHCS would separate from Markley included that current Deputy Superintendent LaChawn Smith would not step into the role of interim superintendent; Smith herself only recently took over the deputy role after Dr. Rick Holliday retired amid allegations he had failed to report sexual misconduct by employees under his supervision.
This week, the New Hanover County Board of Education met in closed session — one of many recent such meetings — and then announced that the Board of Education would be utilizing resources from the North Carolina School Boards Association (NCSBA) to find an interim superintendent.
“Our main focus is supporting the school system through this transition, and ensuring our staff is not over-burdened,” Chairperson Lisa Estep said. “An interim superintendent who has experience assisting a district in challenging times will work hand-in-hand with our Deputy Superintendent, Dr. LaChawn Smith, in beginning this new era for New Hanover County Schools while an in-depth search for a permanent superintendent is conducted.”
According to a release from the board, the district will “work with the NCSBA for an expedient interim superintendent search to have someone in place as quickly as possible.”
The search for a permanent replacement, which officially begins today, will likely take longer.
“The search for a permanent superintendent will be thoughtful and deliberate and could take several months,” Estep said. “We will take the time needed to gather meaningful input and find the right fit for NHCS moving forward.”
