CAIRO — Grady County School Board members selected an interim superintendent Thursday morning.

Dan Broome, Grady County Schools chief financial officer, will continue his current role, along with resuming superintendent responsibilities for the county schools on October 29.

Board of Education member John White, who is also Grady County clerk, said Broome’s 29 years of experience as the chief financial officer is what helped the board’s decision to appoint Broome.

“Dan has more experience in the system than anyone else,” he said. ‘He understands it and while his background isn’t necessarily in education, in 20 years in working with seven different superintendents, he has learned an awful lot about education.” 

Broome noted it was relatively normal for him to accept the position and said he’s excited to continue what former superintendent Dr. Kermit Gilliard started.

“It is big shoes to fill, especially in the case of Dr. Gilliard, but I guess I’m passionate enough and love Grady County Schools enough that I told the board I would do whatever was necessary and if they thought I was capable then I was willing,” he said.

As the interim superintendent, Broome plans to continue ongoing school board plans including the completion of Eastside School renovations, which are expected to be finished by the end of the year.

“We’ve got a few other things that have been on the horizon that are scheduled. I’ll try to keep all those on schedule as far as having to get those things done,” he said. “I’m confident that my staff that actually run the day to day operations can keep the usual things going.”

While Broome has been appointed, board members are continuing their search for a permanent superintendent as Broome said he does not intend to hold the position for a long term.

“We’re going to try and move forward with this as quickly as possible so we can make this as smooth as possible and just hope that we get a good pool of candidates to choose from,” Derrick Majors, Grady County school board chair, said.

Nonetheless, Broome said he’s ready to learn new things and uphold standards already put in place for the county. 

“I appreciate the board’s confidence shown in me to give me this opportunity. I’m looking forward to the challenge,” Broome said.