The search will soon be on for a new Brewton City Schools superintendent.
Monday, the school board approved Superintendent Lynn Smith’s retirement request. His last day will be June 30, Smith said.
“(The retirement) has been in the works for several years,” the 36-year employee said. Of those 36 years, 24 have been spent as superintendent. “Last June, I told the school board that this would probably be my last school year.
“I’ve enjoyed my time, but I believe it’s in everyone’s the best interest if I retire,” he said.
“There are a lot of changes coming down from the state in terms of accountability and evaluations,” he said. “With those new things coming, it’s better to start with someone fresh who would be there for the entire process.”
Smith said the board has agreed to allow the Alabama Association of School Boards to head the selection process.
Chairman Stephanie Walker said the board wants the best candidate for the job and believes the AASB will help in that search.
As part of the AASB service, the group will advertise the search and recruit candidates; survey the community on the desired superintendent qualities and skills; receive and screen applicants; schedule interviews; provide interview guide for the board, and other services.
“We plan to start the process in January,” Walker said of the search. “We want to do everything we can to engage the community in the search, which is exactly what the AASB does.”
Once a candidate pool is finalized, the finalists will be interviewed. Those interviews will be open to the public.