With the beginning of the school year right around the corner, the Cato-Meridian Central School District Board of Education will soon turn its attention to the future, and to securing a new leader.

Superintendent Deborah Bobo announced earlier this summer that she will retire at the end of the next academic year, leaving the board with the task of finding her successor. While next June is far off, the board is starting to ponder how best to find a new superintendent.

“We just started some initial talk,” board President Michael Lees said. “It's something we plan on addressing over the next few meetings.”

One option that has been discussed is hiring an outside agency to give the board some assistance.

“Not many of us (board members) have been through this before, so hopefully that organization will provide us with some guidance and a timeline for the search and help the board define what we are looking for.”

Bobo served as principal at Cato-Meridian Elementary School before taking the superintendent post in 2003.

Lees had nothing but praise for Bobo, saying that in her role as superintendent, she continued Cato-Meridian's reputation as providing an excellent education.

Bobo's retirement was not the only announcement from someone in the district's upper echelon; Board member Heidi Dennison resigned her commission on the board this spring - her term expired in 2010.

Rodney Pollack, who opted to not run for another term in May, volunteered to serve for one year in Dennison's stead until that seat is up for election next spring, Lees said.

Lees said accepting Pollack's suggestion was the best at this time based upon his level of experience with the board.

“From my experience, learning all of the responsibilities and information that a school board member needs is a daunting task, and we already have a new member elected on the board,” he said. “That experience of being in the school board environment for a couple years is what Rod brings to the table right now.”

Despite the changes in leadership, Lees believes there will be a smooth transition in the next year.

“I can't really predict the future, but I can't foresee any real disruptions in the normal course of events,” he said. “(Board) seats will be filled, and by that time the board wants to have a superintendent identified and ready to come on board.”

Staff writer Alyssa Sunkin can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 239 or alyssa.sunkin@lee.net