The Durham Public Schools Board of Education unanimously voted to appoint the district's Chief Operating Officer H. Hank Hurd as Interim Superintendent, effective January 1, 2010. Superintendent Carl Harris will begin his new position as Deputy Assistant Secretary with the United States Department of Education on that date.

Hurd is a North Carolina CPA/MBA and has 33 years experience as a school business administrator. In his position as Chief Operating Officer, he oversees finance, payroll, human resources, transportation and operational services.

In October 2009, Hurd was named as a top Chief Financial Officer by Business Leader Media, which publishes Business Leader Magazine.

Prior to joining DPS, Hurd served as CFO and Associate State Superintendent for Financial and Business Services for the N.C. Department of Public Instruction for three years. While at the Department of Public Instruction he supervised a budget of $6 Billion dollars and had a staff of 142. Hurd also served four years as the financial consultant for the N.C. Principal's Executive Program which is part of the University Of North Carolina. There he taught school finance to hundreds of school principals across the state. Before that he was employed by Harnett County Schools as the Assistant Superintendent for Administrative Services and served as the CFO for 23 years.

"This is a wonderful privilege for which I am greatly appreciative to the Board of Education," said Hurd. "I am honored to be entrusted with this responsibility and I look forward to working with the Board and the DPS administration and staff to ensure this period of transition is as smooth as possible."

Hurd has also taught accounting at NC State University and Campbell University. Hurd has received the Award for Financial Excellence in Reporting from the American Association of School Business Officials numerous times. He also has received the Award for Financial Achievement in Reporting from the Governmental Finance Officers Association along with the N.C. State Treasurer's Governmental Accounting/Financial Management Award.

Hurd earned his master's and bachelor's degrees in business administration from Campbell University.

Also at tonight's meeting, the Board approved the process for the superintendent search. The Board is accepting proposals from search firms and will select a firm at its next meeting on November 19. On December 1, the Board will hold a Kitchen Table Conversation where parents, staff and community members will discuss the qualities the new superintendent should possess. The Board expects to have the new superintendent in place by July 1.

"The Board is committed to seeking input from our community and that we conduct a thoughtful and thorough search to ensure that we have the best fit possible to lead our school district," said Board Chair Minnie Forte-Brown. "In the meantime, we are confident that Hank Hurd will do a wonderful job in leading our district for the second half of this school year."