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In a special called meeting of the Stanly County Board of Education, a groundwork was put in place for the board to find both an interim and regular superintendent.

The move comes on the heels of the recent announcement of Dr. Jeff James taking over the superintendent position for Iredell County Schools.

After a lengthy closed session, board member Anthony Graves made a motion to advertise in the system for all open positions within Stanly County Schools (SCS), including director of curriculum.

The motion passed immediately.

Graves said he had received messages from parents of seniors being told there would be no live graduation ceremony.

Those parents, Graves added, were told by SCS staff members of the cancellation. Graves, quoting James, said graduation would happen even if during the summer once the COVID-19 lockdown was lifted.

Board member Jeff Chance said a social media post listing graduation options has been posted. The survey, posted Tuesday on Facebook, included a link to a survey.

Prior to the closed session for personnel matters, board member and Personnel Committee Chairwoman Vicky Watson mentioned SCS would have a number of vacant positions, including principal at South Stanly High School.

The search for a new superintendent may be aided by the law firm of Campbell and Shatley, who will charge around $10,000 for finding prospective candidates. The cost is much less than the North Carolina School Board Association, who would have charged around $25,000.

Watson said the Personnel Committee recommends using Campbell Shatley as well as doing a survey in-house with SCS head of technology Shawn Britt.

She added she would want the firm to do part of the selection process, including extensive background checks. Interviews and meetings would be done by the board.

Chairman Melvin Poole said SCS will face a situation briefly operating without a superintendent, adding “we can not operate without someone in that position.”

Board member Glenda Gibson said she was interested in marketing the new open position nationwide.

The board also decided to have Watson contact board members from different school boards to get more input on whether spending the extra money from the NCSBA is valuable.