news-record.com

GREENSBORO — Eric Becoats, Guilford County Schools chief administrative officer, is leaving to run the Durham school system.

Becoats, 43, has been named the new superintendant of Durham Public Schools. His appointment becomes effective July 1.

"Dr. Becoats has done a great job for Guilford County Schools and we wish him well as he assumes this new leadership position," said Superintendent Maurice "Mo" Green and school board chairman Alan Duncan in a joint statement.

"He has helped move GCS forward by providing significant leadership in developing and executing GCS' first strategic plan and other major initiatives. So, while we will miss him greatly, we're excited about what he will accomplish in Durham as superintendent. This is the next logical step, and he deserves the opportunity."

Becoats, 43, joined Guilford County Schools in 2005. He shared interim superintendent duties with Chief Finance Officer Sharon Ozment for four months after former Superintendent Terry Grier left the post for the top job with the San Diego Unified School District.

Becoats was instrumental in creating a student assignment plan for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, but he resigned in 2004 after being accused of conducting personal business with district resources.

Contract terms prohibited Becoats from applying for the permanent position in Guilford. But he said in March it was his goal to become superintendent of an urban school system.

Becoats was a finalist two years ago for the St. Louis school system’s top spot.

Becoats annual salary is $155,872.