Heath Grimes was introduced as the new superintendent for the Russellville City Schools.

After two weeks of interviews and discussion the Russellville City School board announced Monday afternoon their decision for a new superintendent to replace the retiring Rex Mayfield.

Heath Grimes was chosen from an initial group of four candidates to replace Superintendent Rex Mayfield who announced his retirement earlier this year.

Grimes who is the current Lawrence County Schools Superintendent said he is excited to begin his career in such a great school system.

“I’m honored to be chosen for this position and I am looking forward to starting work with the school board and getting input for projects moving forward,” Grimes said. “This school system already has high academic standards in place and I look forward to continuing that and continuing that trend.”

Mayfield announced his retirement during a school board meeting on Jan. 22.

At that time Mayfield said he was confident the board would make a good decision when finding a replacement for him.

“The system is in great shape monetarily,” Mayfield said. “There are a lot of challenges with this position, but the board and all of the faculty members at all of the schools make the job a lot easier because they do such a good job.”

Mayfield has worked for more than 34 years in the Russellville City School System and became the first Russellville High School graduate to become the RCS superintendent when he landed the position in 2011.

Mayfield has been an educator since 1981 and became an assistant principal at RHS in 1995. He held that position for six years before being promoted to principal of the school for the next seven years before landing in the administrative offices.

Mayfield was recognized in Dec. by the Franklin County S.P.A.N. program as their 2014 Friend of the Year.

Grimes said he felt that his experience and ability to relocate helped him separate himself from the other candidates.

“I think my experience helped me stand out from some of the other candidates,” Grimes said. “I’m still learning and I think that is something that continues throughout a career in education, but there is a good system already set up here in Russellville.”

As the superintendent of the Lawrence County Schools, Grimes watched as voters in that county last month voted against a property tax increase to help fund the schools. According to officials, the Lawrence County Schools system is projected to lose $2.1 million as the result of International Paper closing. Voters in Russellville recently renewed an ad valorem tax on April 28.

RCS board Vice-President Jerry Groce said this was a tough decision.

“Both of the leading candidates were strong options,” Groce said. “That made the decision tough for the board. But at the same time that is a good thing for the school system, having great candidates to choose from. Grimes will be a good leader for the system going forward.”

The board announced Heath Grimes as the new RCS Superintendent, effective June 1. Grimes, the current superintendent for the Lawrence County School system, will stay at his current position until May 31.

The RCS board said his salary would be negotiated over the coming weeks.