County school board splits 3-3 on new president with Holmes absent; special meeting is set Monday to break the tie
The Escambia County (Ala.) School Board will hold a special meeting next Monday at 9 a.m. to elect a new board chairman after a tie vote of 3 for Mike Edwards and 3 for Coleman Wallace at it's monthly meeting Nov. 18.
Current Board President Cindy Jackson called for the election of a new president and vice president, according to the Alabama Code and opened the floor for nominations for president.
Danny Benjamin nominated Edwards and Sherry Digmon nominated Coleman Wallace. Both Edwards and Wallace accepted nomination.
In a roll call by district, Benjamin, Edwards and Loumeek White voted for Edwards. Jackson, Digmon and Wallace voted for Wallace. Board member Danny Hoomes was not present.
Jackson asked if anyone wanted to change their vote. Jackson said the board's attorneys reached out to Jane Williams with the American Association of School Board and said if there was a tied vote and no one would change their vote, the ones who are now chairman and vice chairman would stay until next year.
“Question, how can that be?' asked Benjamin. “How can that be? We have a seven-member board and one person is absent. I think what we should do, to make it right, if we can't do it today, do it when the whole board is here, because that way, we have seven members and that member would break the tie.”
Jackson said the only way they are allowed to do that is to have another meeting in November. She said the attorneys asked if the election could be moved to December and were told no, that it would have to be in the month of November. Discussion among board members led to scheduling the meeting at 9 a.m. next Monday at the Brewton Central office. The meeting is open to the public.
In other business, the board:
-Approved of 2021-2022 Textbook Committee
-Approved to name the W.S. Neal High School Livestock Facility the Philip M. Ellis Livestock Facility to recognize Mr. Philip Ellis for his many years of commitment to WS Neal High School, where he served 17 years as a teacher and 21 years as Principal.
-Approved of the termination of the contract with John Knott regarding COVID-19 and pandemic issues and health and safety concerns effective Nov. 18, 2021, with full payment for services pursuant to the terms of the contract.
-Approved to enter into contract with the Flippen Group to provide the professional development Capturing Kids Hearts for teachers district-wide.
-Approved to nominate Mr. Larry White to the Escambia County Board of Equalization. The Escambia County School System appoints a member to the Escambia County Board of Equilization for a four-year term. The appointee must have been a resident of Escambia County for the prior five years, must be a qualified voter in Escambia County, and must own taxable property in Escambia County.
-Approved to carry over vacation days (which must be taken by June 30, 2022, otherwise forfeited) from calendar year 2021 for all twelve month employees due to extenuating circumstances including, superintendent transition, COVID pandemic, and staff shortage.
