“This is a dream come true. I had always hoped that one day I would be a superintendent in Cherokee County. I’m very excited.” — Dr. Quincie Moore Gaffney resident Dr. Quincie Moore was the unanimous choice Wednesday to become the new Cherokee County school superintendent.

Moore is in her fifth year in Spartanburg District 2, where she is the assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction. From 1997-2007, she was principal at Ewing Middle and Gaffney High schools.

“This is a dream come true,” Moore said. “I had always hoped that one day I would be a superintendent in Cherokee County. I’m very excited. I look forward to building on the strong tradition in this community and working with the many good teachers and administrators in the schools to help move this school district to the next level.”

Moore will receive a 3-year contract with a $125,000 salary, a 10 percent annuity and a $750 per month automobile and gasoline allowance.

School trustee Ron Garner made the motion after board members returned from a 4-hour executive session with a decision on the superintendent position shortly after 10 p.m. School trustees conducted their final interview with Moore and then announced the agreement with the new superintendent after extensive closed-door discussions about the finalists for the job.

While the starting date is “up in the air,” school board chairman Donnie Smith said Moore plans to start work as superintendent as soon as possible.

“This was a very extensive process. Our School Boards Association Executive Director Dr. Paul Krohne did an excellent job,” Smith said.

“They were all excellent candidates. Due to the caliber of the candidates, this was a hard decision to make. We are proud to say Dr. Moore is very qualified. We are glad to have her on board.”

There were 32 applicants for the job last fall. Trustees brought in eight candidates for a first round of interviews in early January. The finalists were announced two weeks later by the South Carolina School Boards Association.

Moore was one of four finalists who spent two days each touring county schools and meeting with local residents as part of the final selection process. The other finalists were Granard Middle School Principal Dr. Mark Bunch, Stafford County, Va., Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Dr. Chris Quinn, and Dr. Angela Bain, Lexington and Richland School District 5 Chief Human Resources Officer.

Associate superintendent Dr. Carlotta Redish is serving as acting superintendent until Moore starts work in Cherokee County. Moore will assume the position no later than July 1, subject to contract negotiations.