Pamlico school superintendent to take post in Burke County

BAYBORO - Rick Sherrill, superintendent of Pamlico County schools, will become the associate superintendent in Burke County on Sept. 1.

Sherrill announced earlier this week he plans to resign from his Pamlico position effective Aug. 31. He said he wants to be closer to his 83-year-old mother, who has been in and out of the hospital the last 15 months in Burke County.

"She's supported me all these years, and she still does," Sherrill said. "With needing to be near her and this position opening up, it's almost an ideal situation."

Sherrill used to be a coach, assistant principal and principal in Burke County after a 21-year stint in the U.S. Marine Corps.

David Burleson, superintendent of Burke County schools for eight years, said Sherrill was an assistant principal and principal at Liberty Middle School in the 1990s and principal at East Burke High School from 1999 to 2003.

"He was a great principal," Burleson said. "We maintained contact after he left. I'm excited about Rick coming back here. He brings great experience back to Burke County."

Sherrill was the assistant superintendent for auxiliary services in Catawba County before he went to Pamlico County for the 2005-06 school year. His job in Pamlico was his first superintendent position.

The Pamlico County Board of Education will meet Tuesday night at the central office in Bayboro to discuss the selection of Sherrill's successor. Officials said most of the meeting, which begins at 6:30 p.m., will be in closed session.