Weeks of searching and hours of thought ended Wednesday for a new Warren County Schools Superintendent.

Following the announcement of Dale Brown's retirement in August, four candidates were interviewed.

But Wednesday morning the board voted Assistant Superintendent Tim Murley into the position and board members say the decision wasn't easy.

"We are hiring a CEO for a major corporation," said Garry Chaffin, a board member for Warren County Schools. "We wanted to make sure we had the right person for this job."

Garry Chaffin wants Warren County to be a top school system not only in Kentucky, but in the United States.

"We wanted someone who had a vision for Warren County," he said.

That's why Chaffin says with a unanimous vote, Assistant Superintendent Tim Murley will now lead the school system.

"I do believe he has that vision and will take us from a good school to a great school system," he said.

"We thought we had four very strong candidates," said Vanessa Oldham Butts, a Greenwood High School teacher and parent.

As part of a superintendent screening committee, she says all of the candidates would've been excellent.

"Sometimes it was very hard. I would say, 'Okay, I'm talking teacher now.' And then I'd switch and say, 'Okay I'm talking parent.'"

To all parents, Murley assures that for nearly 30 years his heart has been in the Warren County Schools system.

"I promise every day I'll do my best for the staff and student," Murley said. "Every day I'm in this office I'll serve them."

Murley says he wants to improve an already thriving school district and hopes to achieve that with one important goal.

"To produce more students with 21st century skills, who can step out in the workforce and compete internationally. We do a great job with that, but I think we can do better."

The board says Murley's contract will be worked out and voted on in December.

Aside from his assistant superintendent position, Murley has served the district as a teacher, principal and district assessment coordinator.