The state has named a former Rockcastle County school superintendent to manage the troubled Breathitt County Public Schools.

Larry Hammond, who ran the Rockcastle County district for 17 years, will take over management of the Breathitt Schools immediately, Kentucky Education Commissioner Terry Holliday announced Thursday.

The state Department of Education recently moved to take over the Breathitt Schools after former superintendent Arch Turner went to prison in a federal vote-buying scheme, and a state audit of the district turned up a variety of operating problems.

In effect, Hammond will be Holliday's on-site designee to handle all aspects of district management formerly exercised by the Breathitt County Board of Education.

"Larry Hammond has a solid reputation as a superintendent, and his experience in the areas of finance, management and curriculum will help lead the Breathitt County Schools to improvement," Holliday said in a statement.

Hammond will work under a personal-service contract. He will be paid $700 a day for a maximum of 145 days in fiscal 2013, and for a maximum of 260 days in fiscal 2014. He also will be reimbursed as much as $1,500 a month for housing, travel and other expenses during the two fiscal years, the state said.

The Kentucky Department of Education will cover those costs, and the Breathitt Schools will reimburse the department.

Jim Warren (859) 231-3255.