Board of Education chooses five finalists for superintendent post

SANFORD, Nov 15, 2008 (Sanford Herald - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- TCHC | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- The Lee County Schools superintendent search committee has whittled the field down to five finalists who will vie for the position through public forums and interviews in the coming weeks.

The finalists are made up of two insiders from Lee County Schools, two administrators from other N.C. public school districts and a candidate from a Pennsylvania school district.

The Lee County Board of Education will make the ultimate hiring decision but will collect public input through meet-and-greet sessions for all the candidates. The board is aiming to make an announcement Dec. 19.

"I'm hoping that the community will come out -- not just the school community but people in Lee County," said Linda Smith, a member of the board of education who served as chairwoman of the superintendent search committee.

"I want our superintendent to be someone who can be recognized on the street or in a restaurant. I want them to be able to know that person," Smith said.

The finalists are:

- Andy Bryan, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction at LCS;

- Carol Chappell, K-5 director of instruction at LCS;

- Eddie Ingram, executive director of curriculum and instruction at Franklin County Schools;

- Jeff Moss, superintendent at Beaufort County Schools; and

- Daniel Novey, assistant superintendent at Parkland School District in Allentown, Penn.

Lee County Schools' superintendent position became vacant after Jim McCormick resigned June 30 amid allegations of "immoral conduct." It was later revealed that he had an extramarital affair with a district teacher.

Gary Jackson has been serving in the interim as superintendent.

The 16-member search committee originally received 28 applications for the district's top administrative position and narrowed the field down to 12 candidates.

Those candidates recorded DVD interviews in which they were asked the same questions and given three minutes to respond.

"That meant they had to formulate ideas and be very concise and be able to get the message across to the viewer," Smith said.

Smith said that all of the finalists have displayed the experience needed to move the district forward and that she is looking for a superintendent who can make the schools more competitive in the 21st Century.

Andy Bryan

Bryan, the assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction at LCS, has an M.A. in administration and supervision from the University of Virginia and is enrolled in the school's doctoral program, studying to be a superintendent.

What he said: "We want to try to provide a place for students where they can succeed academically and where they can succeed socially as well.".

Carol Chappell

Chappell, a native of Lee County, has a Ph.D. from UNC-Chapel Hill in curriculum and instruction and has spent her entire teaching career at Lee County Schools.

What she said: "I have a deeply vested interest in the Lee County students, and I really want to see them achieve everything they can and reach their potential."

Eddie Ingram

Ingram, director of curriculum and instruction at Franklin County Schools, previously served as principal at Currituck County High School and executive director of secondary instruction and personnel director at Nash-Rocky Mount Schools.

What he said: Messages to Ingram were not returned Thursday.

Jeff Moss

Moss is the only finalist who is already a superintendent, currently serving in the post for the North Carolina's Beaufort County Schools. He previously was a superintendent for Stanly County Schools.

What he said: "I think the most important quality (for superintendent) is to be the instructional leader for the district. They also have to bring to the table a very good business sense."

Daniel Novey

Novey is an assistant superintendent from Parkland School District in Pennsylvania. Although he is the only out-of-state finalist, he said he has long been a visitor to the state because his daughters live in the Raleigh area.

What he said: "I think the superintendency is a tremendous calling and I think the right chemistry has to exist in order to make education most effective and efficient for students and staff and the community," Novey said. "I believe the superintendent is the linchpin for all of that to happen."

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