Randall Little was named superintendent of the Escambia County School System Thursday, earning the position on a 6-1 vote of the board of education.

Little is currently interim superintendent. The only other candidate was Zyckeyous Byrd, principal of Escambia County High School.

“We will continue to make great strides in education,” Little pledged after the decision, saying he was humbled by the board’s choice.

Board chairman William Grissett was the only board member who voted for Byrd.

Grissett and board attorney Broox Garrett were authorized to negotiate Little’s contract, which would begin this summer.

The board also voted to renew the contracts of four principals after asking them some questions in open session Thursday. Those contracts will be negotiated by Little, the board authorized.

Principals whose contracts were renewed included Patty Frazier of W.S. Neal High School, John Knott of W.S. Neal Elementary School, David Lanier of the Escambia-Brewton Career Technical Center and Sandra Reid of Flomaton Elementary School.