The Crenshaw County Board of Education approved the hire of a new Chief Schools Financial Officer at Monday’s meeting.

For the past several months, a committee of five employees has been searching for a replacement for outgoing CSFO Pam Wood.

Five applicants were interviewed, and the committee recommended Ken Wesley, who is currently the Chief Officer of Business and Fiscal Affairs for Lowndes County Public Schools.

According to Superintendent-elect Randy Wilkes, Wesley is no stranger to Crenshaw County after having worked with the Gibson-Carden accounting firm, and he currently lives in Greenville.

“He is the CSFO is Lowndes County, and he has done a fantastic job there,” Wilkes said. “He wants to be here, and he should start work on Jan. 3.”

In other business, Troy Hudson and new board member Dr. Charles Tompkins were sworn in, and Hudson was elected the new president of the board, while Bertha Jones was elected vice-president.

Alfredia Griffin told the board that the KidCheck program was a success, examining 298 students at Brantley, 396 at Highland Home and 462 at Luverne.

Griffin also said that the program will be reimbursed by Medicaid, so the last three years’ work will not cost the school system any money.

The board also accepted an intent to retire letter from current superintendent Kathi Wallace, effective Jan. 1.