The president of the Tupelo School Board says a search for a new superintendent will begin soon even with the board’s approval of a one-year extension for present school leader Randy McCoy.

McCoy said Tuesday that he will retire in June 2009 after seven years in the position.

Board President Shawn Brevard said a nationwide search will be conducted “with the goal of reaching a commitment no later than January 2009.”

McCoy’s contract with the 7,200-student Tupelo Public School District was up for renewal at the end of this school year, and by state law all appointed superintendents of education must be told by January what their district’s plans are.

“It’s always been my goal to retire at the age of 60,” said the 57-year-old, who will be 58 later this month and still 59 at the completion of the new contract on June 30, 2009.

At that time, McCoy will have 36 years as an educator.

The Tupelo native earlier in his career was a coach and administrator in the Tupelo system. He had previously been a superintendent of public schools in Oak Ridge, Tenn., Brookhaven and Clinton.

He became Tupelo superintendent in 2002 with a four-year contract, and he is working under a two-year extension the board granted in 2006.

McCoy’s tenure has been marked by significant achievements in facility construction and renovation, staffing, planning and communication, Brevard said, noting the district’s most recent decision to reorganize its 10 elementary schools.