Pickens County Schools Superintendent Dr. Ben Desper announced his retirement this week after a mere two years in the position. According to Board Chair Wendy Lowe, Desper informed the board of his decision via email on Tuesday. In an email to FYN Thursday, Lowe said that although the news was unexpected it was not a surprise, adding the superintendent had been contemplating retiring for some time. In the wake of the news, the school board held a called meeting Thursday night to discuss the next step in filling the vacancy.

During the meeting, the board voted unanimously to accept the resignation and then entered into executive session to discuss filling the vacancy. When the session ended at 8:30pm, Lowe announced that no decisions were made during the session. However, she did say the board has allowed Board Attorney Phillip Landrum III to begin procedures for determining an interim superintendent and begin searching for a permanent superintendent to fill the vacancy. Lowe said she expects to announce more details about plans next week

In an email to FYN Thursday, Desper issued a statement regarding his decision to leave.

“I very much appreciate the opportunity that I have had to work with the students of Pickens County,”

he said.

“It has been a blessing for me to meet so many wonderful people. I am looking forward to having additional time to spend with my family and to pursue some interests that I have had to put on the back burner for a number of years.”.

The resignation will be effective June twenty-eighth. The District is also losing its assistant superintendent, Tommy Qualls. Qualls, who was part-time, will also be leaving. The board, however, did not indicate whether or not it would replace Qualls.