Macon County Schools didn’t have to look far for its new superintendent.
During a special called meeting on Tuesday, May 16, the Board of Education unanimously approved Josh Lynch as the new superintendent following a closed session to prevent the disclosure of privileged or confidential information. The appointment is contingent on contract negotiations.
“I am honored and it is a privilege to have this opportunity to serve the Macon County Schools system as superintendent of schools,” Lynch said after the announcement. “I am a product of Macon County Schools and I know exactly what Macon County Schools can do not only for students, but for members of the school system because I worked in each of those veins.”
Lynch has served as curriculum director and associate superintendent since 2020. Previously, he was the principal of Cartoogechaye Elementary School for seven years.
Lynch will take over in September. Retiring Superintendent Chris Baldwin’s last day is Sept. 1.
Tuesday’s meeting was called six days prior, on May 10 to “review, discuss and approve personnel.” The board’s regular monthly meeting will be May 22 at Nantahala School.
The search took less than two months from when it was announced on March 28. This came a month after Baldwin’s announcement at the Feb. 27 Board of Education meeting.
School Board Chair Jim Breedlove announced on March 28 that the search would begin on April 3, with applications received through April 28.
“The Macon County Board of Education tentatively plans to announce and introduce the new superintendent on or before June 1, 2023,” Breedlove’s March 28 statement explained.
According to School Board Attorney John Henning, whose firm Campbell Shatley PLLC oversaw the search, there were four applicants. All four were interviewed at The Lodge at Cat Creek the afternoon of May 3 after recessing from a budget workshop that morning. The interviews were conducted in closed session.
Several of the school board members commented on May 16 about how hard the decision was, saying all four applicants were great in their own way.
Baldwin has been MCS superintendent since July 1, 2013, taking over after Jim Duncan served as interim superintendent for over a year. Previously, Baldwin was the principal at Nantahala School and was named superintendent in November 2012 after a search.