The search for a new superintendent for Catawba County Schools has begun.
In early December, current Superintendent Glenn Barger announced he was stepping down from the position on July 1. The school system entered into a $10,500 contract with the North Carolina School Boards Association to help them find a successful candidate. The association will help the school system advertise for the position, line up interviews, check references and help with surveys.
Catawba County Schools began advertising for the position on Jan. 9 after hiring the School Boards Association.
Catawba County Schools followed a similar cycle in 2010, when then-superintendent Tim Markley left the system for another position.
After paying the School Board Association its fee, Catawba County Schools did not interview any of the 24 applications it received, instead choosing to hire Barger who previously served as superintendent of the school system from 1990 to 2000.
Catawba County Schools Board of Education Chairwoman Joyce Spencer defends the board’s choice.
“He was selected at the time because the majority of the board thought his experience and leadership were needed with the budget,” she said. “At that point in time, the board felt making a change from interim would not be appropriate.”
She said the board is pleased with the two years Barger has served, and agrees it is time for someone new to join Catawba County Schools. Spencer said she does not anticipate the board hiring any previous superintendents like it did with Barger.
“At this point, I believe the board would go through the whole process of securing a strong leader,” she said.
Spencer said she didn’t know if anyone within the school system was interested in applying for the position. To be a superintendent, they must have principal experience, as well as assistant or superintendent experience.
There will be no interim superintendent, with Barger staying on until a new superintendent is hired, Spencer said.
“We’re very committed to finding the strongest individual we can,” she said. “We will go through employee and community surveys for input.”
The position will be posted through March 7. The board hopes to interview applicants in April and May, and have someone in place by the time Barger leaves on July 1.
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