The Jefferson County Board of Education voted unanimously to appoint Alan Sturm as interim superintendent for Jefferson County Schools after current superintendent Susan K. Wall retires Dec. 31. Sturm will fill the position until a permanent superintendent is appointed next summer.

Sturm’s educational career spans more than forty years between West Virginia and Maryland school districts. After graduating from West Virginia Wesleyan College with a Bachelor of Arts in History, his career commenced in Maryland as an English and Social Studies teacher at Middletown High School. After receiving his Masters in Administration from West Virginia University in 1977, he served as Buckhannon- Upshur Middle School principal from 1984 to 1990. Sturm then transitioned into the central office and retired as Upshur County Schools Assistant Superintendent in 1998.

Moving to Jefferson County in 1998, Sturm was elected to the Jefferson County Board of Education and served as the board’s vice-president from 2006 to 2008. While on the board he was vice-president of James Rumsey’s Administrative Council and Vice President of the RESA VIII Regional Council. He consulted with the West Virginia Department of Education on topics such as, school organization and best practices for two years.

Sturm’s community service in local groups continues. These organizations and board memberships include: Shepherdstown Day Care Center, board member; Western Maryland Interpretive Association, member; West Virginia Association of Retired School Employees, member; Upshur County Education Association, past president; Upshur County Principals’ Association, past president; WV Instructional Materials Committee, member; Antietam National Battlefield, volunteer and Trinity Episcopal Church, member.

“Alan brings experience and leadership to our school system while we focus on the national search for a permanent superintendent,” said Jefferson County Board of Education President Scott Sudduth. “His 40 years of educational experience in addition to his detailed knowledge of our district, benefit our students and staff during this period of transition,” he added.

Current superintendent, Wall, is retiring after seven years of service as superintendent and more than 30 years serving Jefferson County Schools. During her tenure as superintendent, she oversaw the construction of Washington High School, the development of an addition to Jefferson High School and an increase in graduation rates from 74 percent to 89 percent.

“Susan’s numerous accomplishments throughout her career have made a tremendous difference for our students,” Sudduth said. “She will be hard to replace, but the board is working with the West Virginia School Board Association on the national search for a full time superintendent commencing in early 2015,” Sudduth added.