Doug Schuch, a Stafford County school official, will become Bedford County's new superintendent.

The Bedford County School Board voted to select Schuch on Thursday evening but delayed naming the district's new leader until Friday afternoon, a possible violation of Virginia's Freedom of Information law.

Schuch, 40, currently serves as director of strategic planning and accountability for Stafford County schools. As Bedford County superintendent, he will earn $140,000 a year, almost $5,000 more than the current superintendent, James Blevins, who is retiring. Schuch's contract, which has not yet been signed or voted on, also includes a $700-per-month vehicle allowance. The contract expires June 30, 2013.

"My family and I are so excited to come down and join this fine community," said Schuch, who will move to the area with his wife, Denise, and two daughters, Juliane, 10, and Emily, 7.

"The school board is very excited to have Dr. Schuch lead Bedford County Public Schools," board Chairman Gary Hostutler said. "His experience in recognizing the needs of the students, developing a plan and executing it will be invaluable to our division."

Schuch's appointment sparked division on the school board, with board member Talbot Huff resigning before the vote on Thursday evening. Huff said he would not vote to appoint a candidate with no "management experience," and who had never served as a high school principal. School board member Shirley McCabe voted against the personnel report, which included the appointment of the superintendent. The final vote was 5-1.

Before being appointed to Stafford County's central administration, Schuch worked as assistant principal at a middle school and a high school in that county. He also has been a science teacher in Fairfax County and an oceanography officer for the U.S. Navy. He holds an undergraduate degree in biomedical engineering from Duke University and a doctorate in education leadership from George Mason University.

Schuch will formally take over on July 1, but he will ease his way into the job by working alongside Blevins for the last two weeks of June. Schuch is moving from a rapidly growing school district of roughly 26,000 students to a less densely populated district, where enrollment has been declining and now stands at almost 10,000.

Stafford County School Board member Nanette Kidby said he was "highly respected" in Stafford County schools.

Blevins, who led Bedford schools for a decade, announced in September that he intended to retire. The school board hired a search firm to look for a replacement. The job drew 44 applicants, six of whom were interviewed, Hostutler said.

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courtney.cutright@roanoke.com 981-3345