June 1, 2005
The board met tonight with two representatives of an independent company called the Virginia School Board Association. The VSBA will help the board search for a new superintendent. By law, the board has 180 days to appoint a new superintendent of schools. With Dr. Scottie Griffin's resignation taking affect on June 30, the board is on the clock to find a replacement.
"The state board will appoint with or without your participation. And by state law, the new person must be appointed for a minimum or two years and a maximum of four," said Frank Barham of VSBA.
VSBA laid out several issues for the school board to take into account including legal and financial obligations. More importantly, they outlined a plan to find Dr. Griffin's successor. In the mean time, the board dealt with finding an acting superintendent. That person needs to be in place by July 1st and the board chair thinks the sooner the better.
"We will quickly identify an acting superintendent or appointment," said board chair Dede Smith.
Some board members worry that with an acting superintendent, the school board will not be able to carry forward their strategic plan.
"I don't see us developing a strategic plan in just six months and just with an acting superintendent. I think we need a permanent superintendent," said board member Julie Gronlund.
