By Karen Martin
Lifestyles Editor
lifestyles@elkintribune.com

Elkin City Schools Board of Directors have narrowed it down to one candidate for superintendent. A public hearing will be held by the board Monday night at 6 p.m., at which time they will decide wether or not to vote their candidate in.

Dr. Randy Michael Bledsoe, currently the Principal of Greene Central High School in Greene County, is at the top of the school board's list.

Bledsoe learned of the superintendent vacancy through friends and family who live in Surry County who informed him of the previous superintendents resignation. Bledsoe is a native of and graduate of Surry Central High School in Dobson.

"Dr. Bledsoe is very familiar with the region our school system is in and our needs," Stewart Roten, Chairman of Elkin's School Board said, "Dr. Bledsoe is a very good fit for our system. He has good networking contacts across the state and can help with our legislative issues."

"We had a number of out of state applicants, but the board wanted someone who understands NC school systems and the issue relating to our region," Roten said. "Someone who could bring their own experience as an administrator and lead Elkin City Schools forward."

"I am honored that I have been chosen and also for the opportunity to come into a system that has such community pride," Bledsoe said. "I'm looking forward to helping the school system meet the needs of children. I believe in making sure that schools celebrate student's successes as well as those of the teachers. I believe in having a family atmosphere."

"I'm really excited about the opportunity for Randy and our family," Steva Bledsoe said. As a whole family, we have worked toward Randy achieving his goal of becoming a school superintendent. We will have the best of both worlds being at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains and maintaining our ties with the East through our sons."

Bledsoe has been married to his wife, Steva, for 27 years. They have two sons, Will, 25 and John who is 23. A unique connection between Dr. Bledsoe and his sons was graduation day from ECU. In May of 2006, all three of the Bledsoe men, father and both sons, graduated together. Bledsoe received his doctorate at the same time that both of his sons received a Bachelor of Sciences degree.

Bledsoe has been very active in community organizations such as, the LaGrange Arts Council, the Wheat Swamp Ruritan Club, the Administrative Board Institute of the United Methodist Church, a Lay Speaker and a Sunday School teacher.

Bledsoe's current position governs 850 students, 80 certified staff members and 55 support staff members. He has held this position for two and one half years.

Bledsoe's credentials include having been Principal at Charles B. Aycock High School, Dillard Middle School, Wayne County Public Schools. Prior to his roles as a principal, he served as Asst. Principal of Eastern Wayne High School. He was a teacher at Banks Elementary School in Lenoir County, Charles B. Aycock High School in Wayne County, High Point Central High School in High Point, and Ferndale Middle School in High Point.

Bledsoe is the Region 2 President of the North Carolina ASCD. He has orgnized and directed the NC ASCD Region 2 "Outstanding Young Educational Leaders Awards Luncheon in May and been both presenter and co-presenter at several conferences relating to NC education and its issues.

Bledsoe, 52 years old, received his doctorate in Educational Leadership in 2006 from East Carolina University, his EdS in Educational Leadership in 1995, his MAEd in Education Administration from ECU in 1991 and his BS, majoring in Physical Education/Biology from High Point College in 1978.

Bledsoe holds NC Certificates for Superintendent, Principal (Grades K-12), Physical Education (K-12), Curriculum Instructional Specialist and Biology.