XENIA — Cincinnati Public Schools Assistant Superintendent Dr. Gabe E. Lofton was named Xenia schools interim superintendent Aug. 23.

His one-year contract was approved 5-0 during a special board meeting. Lofton, 39, will replace Denny Morrison, who retired July 31. He was chosen from an initial group of six, which was narrowed down to three finalists.

Lofton was introduced to the community during the special meeting.

“There’s a lot of excellent work that’s taking place (here),” he said. “The opportunity to come and be a part of that work and help move the district forward, I thought was a once in a lifetime opportunity. It’s just a great school district.”

Lofton has an extensive education background, including middle school, high school and collegiate teaching in addition to several administrative rolls including assistant principal of the high schools in the CPS and North College Hill City Schools, principal of Liberty Junior School in the Lakota School District, and his current position, which he has held since 2013.

That history is what made Lofton stand out when compared with the other finalists.

“When we looked at the candidates, he was the best fit for us,” Board President Pam Callahan said. “High energy. He’s very enthusiastic. We wanted to continue the positive work we’ve been doing in the district. We feel he is the best person who can do that. He had a lot of great ideas. He had a plan.”

Lofton will make around $145,000 according to the contract and plans on starting in Xenia Monday, Sept. 11. His first task will be to learn names and faces.

“I want to get to know all the different stakeholders who are part of the Xenia Community Schools, the students, the parents, the staff, business partners, community partners,” Lofton said. “My first priority is to listen and learn.”

Lofton attended Mount Healthy schools in the Cincinnati area and did undergraduate and graduate work at Miami University. He received his doctorate in educational administration in 2007.