Portales selects next superintendent

Sharon Rowley will be Portales' new school superintendent, effective July 1.

"I feel called to this," Rowley said. "I'm excited."

Rowley, the principal at Fort Sumner Schools, previously worked in the Portales district and was the assistant principal at Lindsey Steiner Elementary School for 4 1/2 years.

"I married here, raised my family here, we live here," Rowley said.

Rowley was in attendance Monday evening at the school board's regular meeting where she signed a letter of intent to accept the job. Board members unanimously approved her after Board President Inez Rodriguez made a motion to hire her.

She will succeed Johnnie Cain, who has held the position the last 11 years and is retiring at the school year's end.

The board considered three other finalists, all of whom are currently employed in the Portales school district.

Rodriguez said choosing Rowley for the position was an easy decision.

"It was unanimous," Rodriguez said. "They were all excellent, but we felt she was the best candidate."

Rodriguez said Rowley's salary will be $152,000.

Cain said board members are scheduled to meet with Rowley in April to discuss goals.

Rowley said she is excited to be a part of the district.

"This is a great group of educators, and we have a great community," she said.