News 12 First at Five -- March 9, 2010

AUGUSTA, Ga. --- Richmond County School Board members held committee meetings Tuesday, but one thing not on the agenda is Dr. Bedden's contract.

Several board members believe it's a "done deal," that he will take the Texas job, and now they're looking ahead to what's next for Richmond County Schools.

Richmond County Superintendent Dr. Dana Bedden will be in Irving, Texas Friday, where the school board will hold a reception for him and his family, and afterward offer him a contract as their new superintendent.

Dr. Bedden spoke exclusively to News 12 after being named lone finalist for the position.

"The Irving job is what I believe is a great opportunity for me and my skill set and offer services to another school district," he said.

The official word will come Friday evening, but some school board members here say they fully expect Dr. Bedden to take the job, and say now it's time to focus on what's next for Richmond County Schools.

"Our teachers are prepared to teach and we will be carrying on," says school board member Patsy Scott.

She is optimistic about the upcoming superintendent search.

"I don't think the search is going to be that hard," she says. "We just go in with a positive attitude and I think it's going to work out."

The search will encompass applicants from around the country, but Scott does not want to discount possible candidates here in Augusta.

"We have a lot of really good people in the area that have been working hard for a very, very time," she says.

School Board Vice President Alex Howard says he expects the board to discuss the search for a replacement at next week's meeting. The next step is a vote to officially place ads for the position.

Howard hopes to have a replacement hired by the beginning of next school year. But board member Jack Padgett believes it would take longer to do a thorough search, and would like to see Deputy Superintendent Dr. James Whitson in the position while they search for a permanent replacement.

Howard also says one important factor they'll look for in the next superintendent is longevity. He says he would like to see somebody stay for longer than three years.

Dr. Bedden's contract is up in July. He has said in the past that he intends to stay until the end.

Valerie Jones, Irving Independent School District Vice-President says the contract they will offer Dr. Bedden will begin sometime this summer, though the exact date is still under negotiation.