The Italy School Board of Trustees named Barry Bassett as lone finalist in their superintendent search at a called meeting Monday night.

Bassett and his wife, Dora, were present at the meeting and met with board members a second time before the board voted.

Larry Eubank made the motion to name Bassett as lone finalist with a second from Tommy Morrison. The motion passed unanimously.

Bassett is currently serving as superintendent in the Avery ISD. He has been in that position for five years and in the education field 23 years.

Bassett said, “We are excited about the move. We are looking forward to relocating in Italy and working in the district.”

Bassett began his career in education teaching high school biology. He also served as director of alternative education and high school principal at Liberty-Eylau High School in Texarkana.

Bassett, who grew up in Avery, earned a Bachelor of Science Degree and Masters of Education Degree from Texas A&M in Texarkana.

His wife is a Spanish teacher and the couple has three boys.

Mrs. Bassett said their youngest child is graduating this year as a junior. Dual credit classes allowed him to graduate a year early.

Their middle child is attending Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches.

Their eldest son, a UT graduate, lives in Austin. He gave them their first grandchildren three-and-a-half years ago.

School districts are required to release the name of superintendent finalists 21 days before the hiring choice is made official.