NATCHEZ — As the Mississippi Board of Education works to find a full-time State Superintendent, a former Natchez principal is filling the slot.

Former Deputy State Superintendent John Jordan was appointed interim State Superintendent July 17.

Jordan is replacing former State Superintendent Hank Bounds, who was recently named the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning’s Commissioner of Higher Education.

From 1983 until 1987, Jordan was Cathedral High School’s principal.

“I was recommended by a friend, interviewed with their board and started in July 1983,” Jordan said. “It was a wonderful experience.”

Jordan said in his time as interim superintendent he will focus on educating the public on the MCT2 accountability model, acquiring federal funding for school improvements across Mississippi and working on the Mississippi Department of Education’s 2011 budget.

And with the start of school statewide coming up, there won’t be much downtime, Jordan said.

“It’s going to be a very busy month or two,” he said.

And while Jordan is only expected to fill his current role for the next 90 days, local administrators are confident he’ll be able to maximize his time in office.

Natchez-Adams School District Superintendent Anthony Morris said Jordan’s previous experience at the state level will help him in his newest position.

“The fact that he has been deputy state superintendent eliminates most of the learning curve for him,” Morris said. “He will be able to make an impact in his short tenure as interim State Superintendent. Mississippi is fortunate to have someone with his humility, intellect and commitment to education.”

To fulfill his commitment to the state, Jordan took a leave of absence from his full-time job as CEO of Bailey Education Group, an education-based consulting firm.

Jordan said he plans to return to Bailey once completing his stint with the state.