Two consecutive superintendents have now been shown the door in Bertie County.

In January of 2007, the Bertie County Board of Education voted 3-2 in favor of terminating the contract of Dr. Nettie Collins-Hart. Now, just over three years later, Dr. Chip Zullinger has resigned after being suspended by the school district leaders.

Whether or not the citizens of Bertie County agree with the two decisions, the fact remains that Bertie County will now be looking for superintendent number six in the past five years (including interims).

The task ahead of the Bertie County Board of Education is a difficult one. They must find someone with great financial skills and a quality educational background, but also someone who can motivate a school district in desperate need of having life pumped into it.

The school board members – Gloria Lee, Alton Parker, Rickey Freeman, Emma Johnson and Pamela Chamblee – are now charged with finding that person. They must work diligently and together.

Here’s what doesn’t matter about the next superintendent: whether the person is male or female, black or white, or if they are local or someone from across the country.

What matters is that the next Superintendent of Bertie County Schools is someone that cares about students and staff and is willing to work diligently to make a difference. The person must work with the school board and be able to deal with the Bertie County Commissioners.

This school term hasn’t begun, but is just around the corner. There is no need to rush into an unwise or hasty decision. The board should take its time, ask the community for input and search to find the person who will be best suited for the school district.

We wish the board all the best as they search for the leader we all need them to find.