At a called meeting of the Gordon County Board of Education last week, Superintendent Dr. Bill McCown submitted his letter of request for retirement to the board.

After five years of service to Gordon County schools, McCown will exit the Gordon County Schools arena effective Jan. 31 and Dr. Susan Remillard will begin as the new Superintendent effective Feb. 1, 2013.

According to board chair William Tyner, the board interviewed Remillard who was the second choice five years ago when the board hired McCown to fill the position, but now, “she is our first choice,” said Tyner.

Remillard has served with the Gordon County School system for six years as Curriculum Director where she provided curriculum instruction for grades K thru 12.

Executing his special priviledge to add Superintendent remarks to the agenda, Monday night, McCown expressed confidence in Remillard and the board moving forward. At the conclusion of his comments, McCown stated it was his time to retire.

“My tenure in this school district has been the highlight of my career, but as all of my retired friends have told me, you just know when it is time, and it is time,” said McCown at the conclusion of his comments.

Remillard was the only candidate and because she was chosen from within the school system, no outside advertisement or search was needed, according to Tyner, who says this will allow for a “seamless transition,’ for the system.

“Our children in general have more and better opportunities to succeed in life with an education process we are putting forth and by losing him (McCown), we as a board have just got to keep our feet planted on the ground and continue to try and see progress continue,” said Tyner. “I feel Dr. Remillard can keep us headed in the right direction.”

Remillard’s contract will not be signed and effective until Feb. 1, 2013.