WINFIELD - The Putnam County Schools Board of Education voted unanimously to appoint John Hudson as the new superintendent at Wednesday night's special meeting.
John Hudson is the current superintendent of Boone County Schools, which has been in the spotlight recently for closing three elementary schools and cutting 80 employees.
Although the Boone district is struggling financially, Putnam County Board of Education President William Legg said that school district's situation was out of Hudson's hands and he was the most qualified candidate for the job.
Legg said the board reached out to Hudson after current Superintendent Chuck Hatfield announced his retirement May 16.
"We really would have liked to have got someone in Putnam County, but the two people who are experienced enough are retiring," Legg said, referencing assistant superintendents Penny Fisher and Brad Hodges.
Since the board couldn't find a qualified candidate within Putnam County, Legg said they wanted to find a candidate from a West Virginia school district.
Hudson, who has degrees from University of Charleston and Marshall University, has worked for Boone County Schools for 32 years, and is finishing his seventh year as superintendent. Prior to voting on Hudson's appointment, Legg read off a list of Hudson's awards and accomplishments within Boone County.
According to his contract, Hudson will be paid $150,000 for the first year and receive a $5,000 raise each year until the end of his contract in 2020. By 2020, Hudson will be making $165,000 a year. He currently earns $131,000 annually as superintendent of Boone County Schools.
Hatfield said the board has made an excellent decision in appointing Hudson.
"I have utmost confidence in John Hudson," Hatfield said. "He's dealt with tough times in Boone County, but none of that is his doing."
Hudson said he will be moving to Putnam County in mid-June and is excited to start as the district's superintendent.
"I am very excited about the opportunity. Putnam County is a premier school district in the state of West Virginia," Hudson said in a phone interview after the meeting.
Hudson said Hatfield has been a mentor to him, as both Putnam and Boone counties belong to the same RESA, and is excited to carry on Hatfield's success in Putnam County.
"They're so passionate and proud of their school system," Hudson said.
Earlier, Mark Sumpter, Boone County Board of Education president, said if Hudson is appointed superintendent of Putnam schools, it would be a great opportunity for him.
"I think Putnam County is one of the best school systems in the state of West Virginia," Sumpter said. "For John to be on the agenda, I think it speaks volumes of John's abilities and his potential."
The next Putnam County Board of Education meeting will be at 6 p.m. June 6 at Winfield Middle School.
Reach Laura Haight at laura.haight@wvgazettemail.com, 304-348-4843 or follow @laurahaight_ on Twitter.