Wake schools delays naming new superintendent

The Wake County Board of Education did not announce its next superintendent Tuesday evening, as previously expected.

"Our goal was to make the announcement tonight, and we simply did not meet that goal," school board Chairman Keith Sutton told WRAL News Tuesday afternoon.

He declined to say why, adding only that "we are trying to make sure it's done right."

A news release issued by the school system said an announcement would be made in "the near future" and quoted Sutton as saying "it would be premature until all aspects of the appointment are crystal clear."

Meanwhile, the board named Cathy Moore as the interim superintendent who will take over for Stephen Gainey.

Gainey has been serving as interim but is leaving to start his new job running Randolph County schools on July 1.

Moore, who currently serves as superintendent for School Performance, will start June 14 and remain in the post until a permanent superintendent arrives.

Last week, the school board narrowed a field of 23 candidates down to three finalists, who interviewed, toured schools, met with staff and took part in a community forum.

The candidates are Dana Bedden, superintendent of Irving Independent School District outside Dallas; James Merrill, superintendent of Virginia Beach City Public Schools; and Ann Clark, deputy superintendent of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.

Sutton said none of the candidates has dropped out.

Whoever will run the school system will face a variety of issues from Day One, including helping build public support for an $810 million school construction bond referendum this fall and dealing with state legislation that’s expected to turn construction authority over to the Wake County Board of Commissioners.