DPS chief operating officer Hank Hurd will serve as the district's interim superintendent, school board members voted unanimously tonight.

Hurd will serve in the position effective Jan. 1 until the board appoints a new superintendent. Board members said they hoped to seat a candidate by April - but no later than July 1.

Hurd is filling in for outgoing superintendent Carl Harris, who resigned last week to move onto a post with the U.S. Department of Education. Harris, who was superintendent for three years, will leave the school system Dec. 31.

Hurd has been with Durham Public Schools for seven years. He previously served as the associate state superintendent for financial business services for the N.C. Department of Public Instruction and also worked at Harnett County Schools. He said he will continue as chief operating officer in the district in addition to his new duties.

Read the full story in tomorrow's N&O.

The Durham community is invited to offer input to the school board regarding the qualities DPS should seek in a new superintendent at a special Kitchen Table Conversation on Tuesday, Dec. 1, from 7:00 until 8:45 pm at the DPS Staff Development Center, 2107 Hillandale Road.

The Board of Education has begun the process of searching for the district’s next Superintendent.

"This is perhaps the most important task this board will undertake. It is critical that the voices of as many of our parents, staff and interested community members as possible are heard as we work together to identify the qualities the board should seek in DPS' next superintendent," a release said.

Trained facilitators will lead small group conversations to ensure that all attendees have the opportunity to share their viewpoints and ideas regarding this significant endeavor.
Refreshments will be provided. Interpreters will be available for Hispanic/Latino speakers.

Space is limited to 150. Register online or call DPS Public Affairs at 560-3652 by November 30 to reserve a space.

Durham Public Schools superintendent Carl E. Harris will leave the school system at the end of the calendar year in order to work for the U.S. Department of Education, according to a news release sent this morning.

Harris has accepted a position as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Education for Policy and Strategic Initiatives with the federal agency.

“It is with heavy but deeply grateful hearts that the members of the Durham Public Schools Board of Education accept the resignation of Dr. Carl Harris. Dr. Harris has provided a quiet strength in his leadership of our district over the past three-and-a-half years,” said Minnie Forte-Brown, chairwoman of the Durham school board. "Durham’s loss is definitely our nation’s gain. We wish him well as he takes his wisdom and his experience to Washington to improve schools across our country.”

Harris has served as superintendent of Durham Public Schools since July 1, 2006. Previously, he was the superintendent of Franklin County Schools.

Update: Harris is expected to stay in his post through "at least" Dec. 31, according to DPS spokesman Michael Yarbrough. The school board will soon decide who will serve as an interim superintendent, he said. They'll then work out the details for picking a new superintendent. The board's next meeting is Nov. 19.

The full news release is posted after the jump:

Put almost 3,000 kids together with 8,000 hot dogs, and you've got yourself one gigantic back-to-school party.

The Durham Rescue Mission is holding its annual school supplies distribution for underprivileged kids in the community tomorrow. Kids will receive backpacks stuffed with school supplies and also enjoy activities like face-painting, games and a hot dog lunch. Cell phones will also be available for families to make free calls anywhere in the U.S. and Mexico.

Last year, 3,386 people participated and 2,500 backpacks were distributed. The Mission said it expects to see more kids because of the recession.

The event starts at 10 a.m. officially but word is that students start lining up as early as 5 a.m. (!) in order to get their backpack. Festivities should end around 2 p.m. It'll all be held at the mission's headquarters at 1201 E. Main Street.

Durham school superintendent Carl Harris will be ringing a symbolic school bell at 11 a.m.

For more information, you can check out Durham Rescue Mission's site.

Durham Public Schools Superintendent Carl Harris is the 2010 Central Carolina Regional Superintendent of the Year, according to a statement released today.

Harris edged out superintendents from 15 other school districts, including Chapel Hill-Carrboro, Johnston, Orange, Person and Wake counties. He was nominated by his peers at a meeting last week.

"Dr. Harris has proven to be a leader and mentor to educators in this region," said Lawrence Walker, director of the Central Carolina Regional Educational Service Alliance. 

Harris became superintendent of the district in 2006. Before that, he was the superintendent at Franklin Co. schools.

The honor makes Harris a nominee for North Carolina Superintendent of the Year.