BAY MINETTE — After months of searching, dozens of candidates and a last-minute change of heart by its original selection, the Baldwin County Board of Education is ready to look to Alan Lee to lead the system, though opinions are split over whether the choice is the most prudent for Baldwin County Schools.

Lee, of Abingdon, Va., was originally the runner-up for the superintendent spot but was chosen as superintendent by the board earlier this month after the board’s original choice, Donald Stinson, declined the job. He is expected to begin July 1.

Lee will be leaving Washington County Schools in Virginia — a system with an enrollment of about 7,500 students in 15 schools — for a system in Baldwin County that houses more than 27,000 students on 45 campuses.

While the vote to approve the hiring of Stinson was unanimous, board opinions are split as to whether the decision to hire Lee for the position is the right one. Board member Bob Wills said Thursday at the board’s regular monthly meeting that morale in the system is at an “all-time low” and that the option of retaining interim superintendent JaNay Dawson, who is retiring at the end of this month, should have been explored further.

While Wills said he has spoken to Lee over the phone and has confidence in his abilities to lead the system, the “common sense” decision would have been to retain Dawson in the superintendent spot.

Dawson took over the superintendent spot after former superintendent Faron Hollinger left the post in January, more than a year before the end of his contract.

“It just makes sense to me that if you have an employee that has been in the system for 38 years and knows it from top to bottom and has exhibited leadership abilities in her position … that you would want to keep that person in that position as opposed to seeking someone from somewhere else, who albeit may be a fine person, will know absolutely nothing about this system, about the personnel in this system, about the communities in this county,” Wills said.

Dawson became the board’s public face throughout its campaign to pass a 1-cent sales referendum and leaves the system after a 38-year career that also includes stints as a teacher, assistant principal, principal and assistant superintendent.

She was honored at the meeting with a resolution in her honor and received a standing ovation in appreciation.

“There have been way too many mentors, way too many friends, way too many teachers to try and thank one at a time,” she said. “It’s been a great 38 years.”

Board president Tracy Roberts said that the 1-cent tax, which is expected to bring $75 million into the system over the next three years, would not have passed without Dawson’s leadership.

“JaNay has been a fabulous leader and she brings to us a rich history and sense of tradition for this system,” Roberts said.

“I think it’s always good to have a fresh set of eyes. (Dr. Lee) won’t rush in and make a lot of grand decisions, but will take time to get to know the staff, get to know the schools, get to know the people of Baldwin County. It will be nice to get his ideas on how we can continue to improve. There’s a lot we do right, and there’s a lot we can do better.”

Adjusting to a different system will not be the greatest challenge for Lee, she said, in the face of dwindling revenues and an uncertain economic future. Instead, providing stability and ensuring growth will be the toughest task for the new superintendent — a challenge faced by Dawson and Hollinger, as well.

“The finances are our most obvious challenge,” Roberts said. “With the oil on the shores and tourists not in hotels, we’re going to have to be more innovative, more careful and more diligent with every penny we spend. I think that’s going to be his biggest challenge.

“I’m confident that he’ll be able to get to know Baldwin County and the schools quickly. He’s a professional and he’s a smart man. I don’t think being new will be much of a problem. He’ll have a lot of enthusiasm. The challenge will be how we continue to grow with insufficient funding.”