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.