Despite its current run of success, Hertford County Public Schools found themselves in a position of having to change the proverbial horse while crossing a rocky stream.

Hopefully, the new horse pulling the Hertford County wagon will be as strong and steadfast as the one who decided to retire.

On Monday night, Hertford County Public Schools welcomed its new superintendent, Dr. John Fahey. He replaces the retiring Dr. Michael Basham, a man hailed as a savior for a school system once considered as the laughing stock of North Carolina.

In just three short years, Dr. Basham turned those laughs into rousing applause.

During his time at the helm of the local school system, Dr. Basham led a dedicated team of educators and administrators in a quest for success.

Hertford County Schools made significant gains under Dr. Basham’s watchful and highly-trained eye. Test scores in reading and math improved during each of his three years; so did End of Course and End of Grade testing. Graduation numbers improved while the dropout rate fell.

Meanwhile, the re-opening of the old C.S. Brown High School gave troubled students another chance at gaining a quality education.

During Dr. Basham’s watch, a partnership was forged with Roanoke-Chowan Community College from where young students could gain a high school and two-year college degree through the Early College High School program.

Working hand-in-hand with the Hertford County Education Foundation, efforts were made in earnest to attract and retain quality teachers.

Now those outstanding attributes of Dr. Basham are part of Hertford County history. Now we look for Dr. Fahey to build upon Basham’s solid foundation. Hopefully he will be up to the task…our children have reached a point where a sub-par effort is no longer acceptable.