XENIA — Xenia Community Schools will have an interim superintendent for one school year before a permanent leader takes charge.

The interim will replace current Superintendent Denny Morrison, who announced May 10 that he was retiring effective Monday, July 31.

Board President Pam Callahan outlined the succession plan during the June 12 board meeting.

“It is our intention to have the new interim in place by August,” she said. That position was only posted internally and applications are due by Monday, July 12, Callahan added.

The Ohio School Boards Association will be handling the search for the permanent superintendent. Callahan said input from school district stakeholders will be sought.

“We understand that the superintendent position is extremely important,” she said. “We feel very strongly that we want to put the best person in place for the superintendent.”

Callahan said the hope is to have the new superintendent start in August 2018.

Morrison has been the superintendent since taking over for Deborah Piotrowski Feb. 2014. He had previously served as superintendent in Beavercreek and in Mad River Schools. He also served the Fairborn school district as curriculum director and as a principal.