By Staff
bemoan loss of Moss
Well-wishers creditMoss with providingfinancial leadership
By GREG KATSKI
Staff Writer
In a bittersweet send off, Jeff Moss’ extended family of friends, associates and co-workers bid the former superintendent of Beaufort County Schools farewell at a reception Friday evening.
Laughs and memories, hugs and kisses were shared among Moss and dozens of well-wishers.
Moss, who is taking over as superintendent of Lee County Schools, said he is anxious to start his new job.
Former Beaufort County Board of Education members were on hand to say goodbye to the man they selected as superintendent five years ago.
Former board Chairman Bryant Hardison said the school system is losing a good man.
Moss came to Beaufort County at the start of the 2004 calendar year from his job as superintendent of the Stanly County school system. At that time, the Beaufort County school system was in the midst of bond-funded construction of several schools.
Thanks to Moss’ financial expertise, the construction was finished on time and within budget, said board member William Warren.
“While I hate to see him go, he will be successful,” said Warren.
Warren also praised Moss’ work on an agreement that governs funding from the county to the school system.
Moss was instrumental in starting the Early College High School program, distance-learning programs and the Grow Our Own Teachers program, which provides college scholarships to local high-school students in exchange for five years of service from them as teachers in the county.
Moss is an advocate of the arts, according to James Mauser, Southside High School’s band director .
Warren, a member of the school board for six years, is disappointed to see yet another superintendent leave the county.
Warren said the system has historically held superintendents for two to three years before they leave.
Moss seemed reluctant to depart, saying, “It’s like leaving family.”
Moss said he hired almost every principal in the county and many administrators and teachers during his tenure.