The Durham Public schools will contact a national school reform group to help search for a new superintendent following Carl E. Harris' surprise announcement that he is taking a post in the Obama administration.

Harris will leave DPS at the end of the calendar year to serve as deputy assistant secretary for policy and strategic initiatives in the Department of Education.

Like Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, Harris has strong ties to the Broad Foundation, a philanthropic organization that encourages charter programs and advocates testing for school accountability and a corporate model for school governance. Harris graduated from the first class of the Broad Superintendents Academy. The Broad model has been criticized by some Durham parents, who think the district is focusing too much on test scores.

School Board Chairwoman Minnie Forte-Brown said the board, whose members went through a two-year Broad-funded training program, plans to contact the foundation as well as the N.C. School Boards Association to help conduct a national search for Harris's successor.

Board members also will be looking for an interim superintendent to serve out the school year. Harris' contract had been extended through June 2013 this year.

"We'd rather not have to do this, but we're prepared to take it all on," Forte-Brown said. "He's a man that would not leave us in a position that would put the district in any harm. We are going to find a leader that continues on that same path."

Monday's announcement surprised school officials and community leaders, who credited Harris for a three-year tenure marked by community cooperation, academic progress and relative calm after years of turmoil in the school system.

"Dr. Harris has been a transformational leader," Forte-Brown said. "He has been transparent in his leadership, forward-thinking and he knew exactly what our district needed to do to improve academic achievement and leadership potential."

Harris was unanimously appointed by the Durham school board and began his term July 1, 2006, following the announced retirement of his predecessor, Ann Denlinger.

Before Harris's arrival, the school board was known for public infighting and arresting disruptive attendees at meetings. Parents, teachers and some board members complained often about Denlinger's leadership.

"This community was split all kinds of ways," said community organizer Melvin Whitley. "I think he did the best that anyone could do. He probably exceeded any expectations given that he was stepping into an open wound. He had to come settle the waters."

Harris's appointment as well as school board turnover in 2006 made for a quieter three years.

Under Harris' leadership, test scores in the district have increased and dropout rates have decreased. More students are taking Advanced Placement courses.

Harris opened six new schools in his three years, including the Holton Career and Resource Center in Northeast Central Durham and several small math and science-focused programs within established high schools, like Hillside New Tech High School. A seventh school, Lakewood Middle Montessori School, will open next fall.

Kristy Moore, president of the Durham Association of Educators, said Harris has been more open with teachers than previous leaders have been.

"There is more of a sense of belonging for teachers," said Moore, who has taught in Durham for six years.

Harris, previously the superintendent at Franklin County Schools for five years, was named Central Carolina Regional Superintendent of the Year this summer.

Community leaders like Whitley said they hoped the next superintendent would have the same temperament and engagement with the community as Harris.

"I enjoyed him being the diplomat that he was and being available in our community," Whitley said. "He was just getting started. But who am I to argue if the president of the United States wants to steal him?"