AUBURN -- The city school board opted for a superintendent search and appointed an interim chief at a special meeting Wednesday night.

A statewide search begins today and J.D. Pabis, Auburn Enlarged City School District assistant superintendent for personnel, finance and operations, will serve as an interim when current Superintendent John Plume retires July 27. The board of education voted 6-3 to search for the next superintendent following an hour-long executive session.

"I think we have an internal candidate that is eminently qualified for the position," said board member Fred Cornelius before voting against a search.

William Andre agreed, naming J.D. Pabis as his choice for superintendent.

"I think J.D.'s the right man for the job. Hopefully, he'll be the next superintendent," Andre said. "I think this (the search) is the wrong way to go. There's an in-house candidate I believe in."

Board member Kent Brandstetter, who participated in the meeting from the public seating area, would not comment on his vote against the search.

Board member Joseph Leogrande said he had fielded a number of phone calls from district residents over the past week supporting a search.

For more, read Thursday's Citizen