New Hanover School board picks interim superintendent

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The New Hanover County School Board this morning picked an interim superintendent until it finds a replacement for retiring superintendent Al Lerch. Dr. Edwin West will fill the office starting July 1. West is president of the Masonboro Group, an education consulting firm.

Board chair Ed Higgins said they chose West because he was already in the area and he already has experience as a superintendent.

“Having dealt with him in the past that he brought an expertise that would allow us over the next two months not to just simply have a care taker, but have somebody who could actually help move the system forward even thought it would be for a very short period,” Higgins said.

The school board began interviewing superintendent candidates today. Those interviews continue for the next couple of weeks.