On Monday, April 28, the Board of Education met to discuss the process for hiring an interim superintendent to take over when Superintendent Tricia McManus retires in June.
The board has wide latitude in hiring an interim, WS/FCS Chief Legal Counsel Dionne Jenkins said. North Carolina has no specific licensure requirements for interim superintendents.
The board discussed a tentative timeline for interviewing candidates and negotiating a contract in May, with a goal of getting an interim in place by June 1. Board members indicated that timeline would be a very quick turnaround, and they wanted to ensure that they make the right decision.
“We need to make this a very thorough process,” Board Chair Deanna Kaplan said.
Board members discussed their general preferences for interim candidates. Some members preferred candidates with prior superintendent experience in school districts similar to WS/FCS.
Several board members said they would like to see the interim focus on the financial and operational needs of the district, and getting school ready to open in August for the 2025-2026 school year.
After the meeting, Kaplan said she is confident the board can find a strong candidate for interim and there will be a seamless transition.
The board will discuss the process for hiring a permanent replacement for McManus at a future meeting. Jenkins said it can take four to six months to hire a school superintendent.