The Beatrice school board has hired a former superintendent of Norris Public Schools to serve as interim Beatrice superintendent for the rest of the school year.

The board hired Dr. Roy Baker at its meeting on Monday evening.

Baker replaces Superintendent Jon “Tommy” Lopez, who died Sept. 28 of pancreatic cancer.

Baker led Norris Public Schools for 13 years until his retirement in 2010.

Baker will receive the remainder of Lopez’s salary, a total of nearly $116,000 for the contract running through June 30, 2013. Baker won’t receive insurance benefits or cash in lieu of the benefits.