By Rupert Howell

Former Lafayette County Superintendent of Education Mike Foster has been chosen as South Panola’s interim superintendent following trustee board action last Thursday night.

The temporary hire will be in charge of directing South Panola’s 4,700 students and 550 employees until July 1, 2013, or until a full-time replacement is chosen and takes over.

Foster will begin next Monday working with current Superintendent Dr. Keith Shaffer, who is retiring from the district December 31, for his final month of employment.

Foster has previously served as teacher/coach at Lafayette before going to Saltillo where he served as assistant principal and principal before returning to Lafayette where he served as assistant superintendent before becoming superintendent in 2002. He retired from that position in 2012.

The 60-year-old Foster oversaw two capital improvement projects and a $13 million bond issue for Lafayette that included a new elementary school as well as other improvements.

He is married with four children, — one of whom is former SP principal Jay Foster now superintendent at Senatobia, —and 12 grandchildren.

He has served and or been associated with numerous  professional and service organizations and boards during his time at Lafayette.

Foster was chosen following an interview with South Panola trustees. He will begin work at the district office Monday, November 26.

He and one other candidate were interviewed for the position following trustees’ directing Shaffer to supply a list of interim candidates who would not apply for the full-time position.

Name: Mike Foster
Age: 60
Experience: Retired as Lafayette Co. superintendent in 2012
Begins work: Next Monday, working with retiring Sup. Keith Shaffer