DARIA HIRED AS NEW SUPERINTENDENT

After conducting a series of interviews Monday and Wednesday night, the Tuscaloosa City Schools Board of Education unanimously voted to hire Michael Daria as its 13th superintendent.

Daria held the position of interim superintendent this summer, while the board searched for a replacement for former superintendent Paul McKendrick. He will begin his new position as superintendent before students come back to school on Aug. 11, according to a Tuscaloosa City Schools press release.

Board Chair Lee Garrison said he believes Daria’s transition to the position of superintendent will be seamless.

“The transition is minimal in that it is a continuation of the work we have been doing,” Daria said. “Our focus is on our students and our path for progress is already in place with our strategic plan. We have a clear blueprint for our transformation, we have the right people in our system, and we have terrific parents and students.”

Daria said he is excited to continue serving the students of the Tuscaloosa City Schools. His main goals for his first year include “implementing the strategic plan, enhancing communication, and focusing on student learning.”

Daria’s experience in the education field includes 20 years holding positions including teacher, assistant principal, principal, executive director of personnel and assistant superintendent. Garrison said these 20 years of excellent job performance in each of these positions is what convinced the board that he was the right man for the job.

The board is united behind Daria, according to Garrison. They voted unanimously 8 to 0 to hire him after the first round of interviews concluded Wednesday night. Garrison said he contacted each of the candidates by phone the night of the selection to tell them the position had been filled.

When asked about his response after Garrison notified him that he got the job, Daria said he thanked the board for the opportunity. His wife was the first person to know he had received the position.

“She was with me when I got the call so she could easily tell from my response that the news was good,” Daria said. “She has been an incredible support throughout this journey and was equally elated about the news.”

As for who’s taking Daria’s place as assistant superintendent of general admission, “that hasn’t been determined yet,” said Lesley Bruinton, public relations coordinator for the Tuscaloosa City Schools.

Before students arrive, Daria and his team of staff are concluding several moving and construction projects.

“Our students will return to school with new playgrounds at our elementary schools, prototype classrooms in four of our schools, and new locations for several students,” Daria said. “We are working to minimize problems that may occur in making so many changes.”

Daria said he is excited to lead the implementation of the school system’s strategic plan, which he described as “bold and ambitious.”

“Serving as the superintendent for the Tuscaloosa City Schools allows me to have an even greater role in accelerating our progress in a meaningful way,” Daria said.