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On June 14, 2022, Dare County Board of Education named Steven G. Blackstock interim superintendent for Dare Schools, effective July 1.

The unanimous decision was made by five board members in a regular meeting at Cape Hatteras Elementary School. Not attending were Joe Tauber and Carl Woody.

Earlier in the meeting, Blackstock was named Assistant Superintendent for one year.

The board is moving ahead to select a superintendent search firm. Early in the afternoon, board attorney Richard Schwartz briefed the board on the search process.

The board will study five proposals submitted by firms seeking to be consultants for the search process, occasioned by the resignation of Superintendent John Farrelly.

Several central office staff vacancies are on the immediate horizon.

Acting Superintendent Sandy Kinzel previously announced her retirement effective June 30.

Assistant Superintendent Keith Parker departs the system’s central office June 30. He will be the new superintendent for the Elizabeth City-Pasquotank School System.

On Tuesday, on the personnel listing, finance director Candy Tilley’s resignation was noted. During announcements, Kinzel acknowledged the action and thanked Tilley for her work for Dare County Schools. Tilley is moving to a similar position for Martin County Schools, which is closer to home for her.

Anna McGinnis will become the interim finance director, an appointment confirmed by the board in an amended consent agenda.

One position is now filled: Ian Adams is the new director of facilities.

Blackstock is familiar with Dare County Schools. He taught band in Virginia for eight years and then moved to teach mathematics in Dare County for seven years. He served as principal at Jarvisburg Elementary in Currituck County for three years. He returned to Dare to work as principal at Manteo Elementary for four and half years.

In 2020, he became director of instructional programs and assessments for Hyde County Schools and on April 1, 2022, he was named interim superintendent for Hyde County Schools.

Blackstock, as a Dare County Schools assistant superintendent with a one-year contract, has a salary of $125,000 annually. As interim superintendent, Blackstock will receive a stipend of $5,000 per month for the additional duties. Job-related mileage is included for all directors and will be available for Blackstock as well.

Dare’s school board is expected to make a decision regarding a superintendent search consultant at a special meeting called for June 30.

Five firms submitting proposals are:

– Ray and Associates, Inc., with a southern office in Durham. Cost estimate $18,500 base fee, plus $3,000 in travel expenses and $500 in shipping costs.

– North Carolina School Boards Association, Raleigh. Fee $21,500 plus authorized expenses.

– McPherson & Jacobson LLC, Omaha, Nebraska. Worked for Dare County Schools 2016-17 in last superintendent search. Total not to exceed amount including expenses: $28,400.

– The Masonboro Group, Wilmington, N.C. Fee: $14,950 exclusive of finalist travel and accommodation expenses.

– BWP & Associates, Libertyville, Illinois. Consulting fee: $22,500 plus travel, administrative support, background checks, advertising totaling $6,970.

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