BELOIT — The West Branch school board named a superintendent pro-tempore in its meeting Thursday.

The board selected a familiar face to replace the retiring Mickie Egli, voting unanimously to appoint Matt Manley.

Egli notified the board of her intention to retire on Feb. 1 in its November meeting, with the district announcing her decision in a statement to its Facebook page on Dec. 3. At that time Egli also requested and was granted a leave of absence for the remainder of her term, prompting the board to appoint High School Principal Brian Coffee as acting superintendent pro-tempore.

Manley brings a wealth of experience to the role, having served as superintendent of the Crestview Local School District for six years, and 43 years of educational experience across several positions, including previously serving as West Branch’s director of professional development, as a principal, and most recently as the middle school assistant principal. Once Egli’s retirement officially takes effect on Feb. 1, Manley will assume the position of interim superintendent while the board selects a permanent one.

Board President Mikki Kanagy said that while Coffee has been handling the interim position admirably since Egli’s resignation, he was currently performing the duties of both a principal and a superintendent. She said that when the members of the board of education discussed who could step into the pro-tempore role, both those members who are currently sitting on the board and those who will be taking office in January, that Manley was the only option considered and that the decision was unanimous.

She explained that it was felt that Manley’s pre-existing ties to and passion for the district, his experience serving as Superintendent at Crestview, and his residence within the community made him the ideal candidate to oversee the district during the board’s search.

“Mr. Manley is from West Branch, and he bleeds green. We discussed the decision as a board, both the current members and the incoming members. Mr. Coffee was doing a great job, but he was doing two jobs, and when we considered who in our community would be the best choice, we all thought of Mr. Manley,” said Kanagy.

When asked about the status of the search for a permanent superintendent, Kanagy said that the process would begin in earnest after the new members of the board take office in January. She also said that Manley knew some potential candidates for the role, but that the selection would be a long process.

For his part Manley said that he was surprised and flattered to be asked to step into the role, noting that he had retired for the second time in August.

“I was kind of stunned, I’m just very grateful and humbled. I care deeply about the people we have here and I’ve been here the majority of my career. I can tell you, through the death of my father and my daughter being in a coma and recovery, this community has been there every second for me and I’ve worked to try to be there for them,” said Manley.

He said that in the immediate future he was looking forward to starting his tenure today, and that he would be “taking it day by,” and “moving forward with positivity.” When asked if he would be interested in the permanent position if it was offered by the board, Manley said he currently expects to serve through the remainder of the school year, but anything beyond that would be contingent upon how the board wanted to proceed.

“I’m just going to appreciate each day. Tomorrow, I get to start, every kid will be here for Young and Alive’s performance and I get to re-connect and wish people a merry Christmas and celebrate our amazing kids,” said Manley.

Manley also thanked the board, students, and community for the warm welcome he has received.

“I’m looking forward to being a partner with the school board, the community, and our students and I just want to thank all the staff, the community, and the children. I’ve already had a lot of people reach out to me, and it’s just so humbling. I’m beyond grateful,” said Manley.

The board of education will meet next at 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 8 for its annual organizational meeting.

mahart@mojonews.com