LINDEN – The Linden City Schools Board of Education appointed former Marengo County Technology Center principal George Baldwin as interim superintendent.

The move, which was the lone action item on Tuesday’s agenda, came in the wake of the city school system parting ways with former superintendent Dr. Tyrone Smith.

“The Linden Board of Education and Dr. Tyrone Smith have separated,” board president William Curry told those in attendance following a brief executive session near the close of the meeting. “We have legally separated from each other. I cannot tell you when we will have another board meeting because (LaKendra Raby) our financial officer, (Dr. Eddie Hill), who is with us from the state and Mr. Baldwin will have to meet to review our budget. They will determine how many teachers we will rehire.”

As the meeting opened, Curry informed the public and the board that the LCBOE would be unable to attend to old or new business until it appointed an interim superintendent.

“Legally, we cannot take up any old business or new business. School boards cannot take up any business without a superintendent. That is state law,” Curry said. “We can have an interim superintendent for 180 days. Superintendents recommend, boards approve.”

Curry then recommended that the board appoint an interim superintendent. Dr. Bobby Hopper quickly followed Curry’s suggestion.

“I would like to appoint Mr. George Baldwin if he is willing,” Hopper said. The motion passed with a unanimous vote of the four board members present. Eunice Jones was the lone absentee from the meeting.

“I would just like to thank the board for making me interim superintendent,” Baldwin told the audience. “We do have a lot of work ahead of us. We should not forget our students. They are most important in our school system.”

Baldwin is no stranger to the Linden Board of Education. He interviewed for the city’s superintendent vacancy in June 2010. That job eventually went to Smith.