LUMBERTON — With the school year beginning on Monday, the Public Schools of Robeson County is looking for someone to fill the assistant superintendent’s role left vacant when Tommy Lowry was named superintendent.

Lowry had served as the assistant superintendent for Instruction and Support since 2007, a position he left when he was named superintendent earlier this month after a contentious debate among school board members.

The position is one of four assistant superintendent positions within the Public Schools of Robeson County, which serves about 25,000 students.

The deadline to apply is Monday, according to a job post on the school system’s website.

According to Stephen Gaskins, assistant superintendent of Human Resources, the central office is hoping to hire the new assistant superintendent by the next board meeting, which is on Sept. 8.

The posting is for an assistant superintendent and doesn’t indicate that the position will be for the Instruction and Support position that Lowry held.

Gaskins said that specifications for the position would be decided by Lowry after the candidate is selected for hire.

“All applicants received for this position will be reviewed by the superintendent and members of his administration. Selected applicants will be contacted for an interview,” the post says.

The listing says an ideal candidate would have a valid principal, supervisor, curriculum or superintendent certificate; knowledge of administration processes; and quality communication skills. At least five years’ experience in an administrative or principal role is preferred, the listing says. Applicants should also be proactive, have “excellent public relations skills” and a proven history of team building, leadership and administrative skills.

Responsibilities include ensuring that staff members comply with rules, safety procedures and government regulations; developing and evaluating department goals and personnel; supporting the superintendent in a cabinet-level management role; and reviewing improvement plans.

The listing does not include a salary range.

By Sarah Willets

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Sarah Willets can be reached at 910-816-1974 or on Twitter @Sarah_Willets. Staff writer Gabrielle Isaac contributed to this report.