Don Stowers

The school board accepted the retirement of Don Stowers on Thursday. The longtime educator who's been superintendent since August 2001 will leave the district Jan. 1.

The board will work through the Virginia School Boards Association to find his replacement. The association charges at least $7,500 for school systems Pulaski County's size. About 4,800 students are enrolled there.

Phillips said Stowers has made strides in the school system, such as relationships he's built with county administrators and the current facilities plans.

Since Stowers came on board, Pulaski County has seen the closure of four schools -- Northwood, Claremont, Newbern and Riverlawn elementary schools. Two new buildings, a new Riverlawn and Pulaski elementary school, replaced them.

-- Anna L. Mallory