The Trussville Board of Education named a 40-year education veteran to serve as the district’s interim superintendent as the system deals with the fallout from the “death notebook” controversy.

Frank Costanzo, who has served as an interim superintendent before, including for the Tuscaloosa County and Sylacauga City school systems. The board previously said it would look outside Trussville for an interim superintendent.

The board said Costanzo, who is currently retired, “would be a nice fit for us … and help us in the days and weeks to come.”

He was unanimously approved as interim superintendent.

A city investigation revealed school staff were aware of a student’s notebook – which contained the names of 37 students he allegedly wanted to kill – but did not notify parents or other staff until the student apparently again threatened to harm others.

“We deeply and humbly apologize for all the emotional and mental distress experienced by our students, parents and staff,” board president Kathy Brown wrote in a newsletter to parents last week. “It is painful and we want to work towards healing, and that includes every single student.”

Amid the controversy, Superintendent Pattie Neill, who some have blamed for a lack of transparency and accountability over the “death notebook” was granted a 60-day leave of absence.