Lancaster gets new superintendent

MEGAN GRAY

LANCASTER - Dr. Michael McFarland was hired by a 4-3 vote during the Monday, May 3 Lancaster Independent School District board of trustees meeting.

Carolyn Morris, boa-rd president and currently seeking re-election, Ma-rion Hamil-ton and Cynt-hia Corbin-Jarvis were the opposing vote.

McFarland’s three year contract begins Monday, May 24 with a pay rate of $157,000 a year.

Interim Superintendent Dr. Dana Marables, hired by the board January of last year, will stay through the end of June for transition.

"I am here today because I recognize the vast potential that exists within this district," said McFarland.

"I pledged to be dedicated to intentional improvement that will result in excellence in every school, for every student, in every class, every day. The destination is excellence!"

McFarland was announced as the lone finalist in the district’s search for superintendent Monday, April 5 and has served as the Assistant Superintendent for Achievement and Pupil Services in the Champaign Public Schools Unit 4 in Champaign, Ill. since 2007.