CHARLOTTE -- The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education has named Ann Clark superintendent of the district.

Clark has been acting superintendent since November when Heath Morrison resigned.

It's been a tough few months for the district after Morrison left with no warning. Now school board members say they're excited to finally have a permanent leader for the district.

"And I and the rest of the board members are very excited about the leadership she's going to provide for this district over then next year and a half," said board member McCray.

Clark, who was deputy superintendent, was acting superintendent after the abrupt resignation of Heath Morrison in November.

Hundreds of emails released Tuesday showed Morrison had no plans of leaving just days before his resignation was announced.

The district conducted an internal investigation regarding whether Morrison bullied staff members.

"Ann is going to bring that stability and direction that we need to maintain our momentum," said McCray.

A need for stability is why Clark says she's stepping up.

She says she would have retired in March, but now wants to help the district while it finds a new superintendent.

"I've made a commitment to this district, and I don't want anyone to hear the word retirement and think that there would be by any stretch of the imagination that there will not be 100 percent plus of Ann Clark engaged with this community," said Clark.

Clark says she doesn't want to be the superintendent long term and will leave by next summer. Plus the board can cut her term short at any time.

"If the board completes its search for a long term superintendent at any time prior to July 31, 2016, the term of the agreement can be shortened," said McCray.

The board says it'll hold a special meeting on Feb. 19 to start the search for a long term superintendent.