Some students who live in Wilkes county have a new, temporary school superintendent. But she's someone they probably know -- former assistant superintendent, Debbie Brown. Barry Shepherd resigned last week as superintendent of Elkin city schools, effective January 21s. He's accepted a superintendent's job elsewhere.
Elkin School Board members voted 4-1 Tuesday night to have Brown serve as interim superintendent. James Freeman cast the dissenting vote, saying he had nothing personal against Brown, but that it should go through an interview process.
After a long career in teaching and administration in Elkin City Schools, Brown was hired about a year ago as assistant to the superintendent. "She has been with us about a year and knows the system as well as anyone," Chairman Stewart Roten told the Elkin Tribune. "She is a product of Elkin City Schools. She has been involved in decision making as Barry has. It will make it an easy transition. He won't have to bring her up to speed on much of anything," the chairman said.
In the selection for the long term replacement for Shepherd, Roten said the board will advertise in state wide publications that cater to school systems and superintendents. Board members have not talked about the type of individual they want. "We will likely discuss that at the planning retreat," Roten said. The retreat is planned for the week following Shepherd's departure. It had been scheduled before Shepherd's announcement.