On Tuesday, members of the Board of Education voted 3-2 to appoint Samantha Fuhrey as superintendent of schools for Newton County, replacing Dr. Gary Mathews effective July 1.

We applauded this selection and believe that Fuhrey will continue the path that Dr. Mathews has put the system on during his three-year leadership of the county’s schools.

In her current position as deputy superintendent for curriculum and instruction, she has had the opportunity to play a hands-on leadership role in improving the educational record of the school system.

We would expect that with her appointment we will not see a reinventing of the proverbial wheel. But we also are certain she will add some positive wrinkles of her own to the current system.

It won’t be easy for the new superintendent to continue the progress that was started by Dr. Mathews. But with the support of teachers, students, parents and community leaders, Fuhrey has the ability and the desire to help make Newton County schools the envy of the state.

Our main request is that she continue the openness and transparency that was a trademark of Mathews’ three-year leadership of Newton County Schools.