Dr. Brian White is officially at his new home in Montgomery County.

White is the new superintendent for the Montgomery County R-II School District. He spent his first day on the job on July 1 and went to his first board meeting on July 10.

White came to R-II after a five-year stint as superintendent after five years at the Meadow Heights R-II School District, which is located outside Cape Girardeau.

“Things are going exceptionally well,” said White, who is now living in Montgomery City. “I’m very pleased with the community and the staff so far. I’m anxious for the teachers and kiddos to get back in here.”

White replaced Dr. Tracy Bottoms as the R-II leader. Bottoms retired on June 30 after a 29-year education career.

As the new R-II superintendent, White continues an education career that began in 2001. He worked as an athletic director, teacher, principal and superintendent in six different school districts, including his alma mater, Bloomfield. He was hired to take over the R-II superintendent job on Dec. 10.

White said he spent his first days as superintendent visiting the schools in the district – Montgomery County High School, Montgomery County Middle School and Montgomery City and Jonesburg elementary schools.

“I’m visiting campuses,” White said. “I’m holding meetings with the folks who know what’s going on and then asking everyone the same basic question, ‘What can I do to help you and what are your needs?’ That keeps me pretty busy.”

White said he enjoys working with a board that includes president Maria Stille, vice-president Karl Finke, secretary Karl Queathem, treasurer Kali Salazar and board members Mike Deering, Micah Hans and Kasey Pottebaum.

“The board is exceptional,” White said. “They’re a very reasonable board. They’ve been very involved for a long time. Because they are consistent, this school has done well.”

White’s first board meeting as superintendent at Montgomery County Middle School was brief, lasting just 35 minutes. Among the topics that were discussed.were the summer school update and the approvals of employee, athletic and A.C.H.I.E.V.E. handbooks.

“It was great,” White said. “It was a very nice surprise. I was learning all of the intricate details.”

White said his next goal as superintendent before school begins on Aug. 19 is finding out what the community members’ vision is for the school district.

“If I can learn where we’ve been and learn where folks want to go, that allows me to make a plan and see if we can get there,” White said.