The Board of Directors of the Special School District voted unanimously Aug. 20, 2025, to add a public-comment period to the agenda and to ratify actions taken at an emergency meeting in July, including the election of officers, the installation of Dr. Lewis as interim superintendent and the granting of signature authority to the superintendent.

The actions were taken during a brief, 21-minute meeting that began at 9:08 a.m. and was chaired by Jamar Lanier Ennis, who identified himself as president of the Special School District board and with the Governor's Office of Disability Affairs. Board membership and confirmation timing were the primary substantive issues raised during public comment.

Board members voted unanimously to amend the agenda after Catherine Presley moved to add a public-comment item and Audrey Muslow Hicks seconded. A member of the public, Maria Annis, asked about the status of two seats — identified in the meeting as “Kenny and Sherry” — and whether they remained board members. Ennis told the meeting the two seats are vacant because the nominees “weren't confirmed by the senate in time” and said the board will develop policies and procedures at a future meeting to avoid similar lapses. "We will develop policies and procedures next meeting to to address it," Ennis said.

After the public comment period the board moved to ratify three decisions from the emergency meeting on July 23, 2025. Vicky Smith moved to ratify the July 23 election of officers; the board confirmed the previously announced officers as Jamar Lanier Ennis as president, Dr. Jessica White as vice president and Catherine Presley as secretary-treasurer. The board then ratified the installation of Dr. Lewis as interim superintendent on a motion by Dr. Jessica White, seconded by Maria Annis. Finally, the board ratified a prior vote giving Dr. Lewis signature authority for district documents; Dee Budgewater moved that item and Vicky Smith seconded.

All roll-call votes recorded in the meeting were unanimous in favor. The board completed the meeting with a motion to adjourn from Catherine Presley, seconded by Vicky Smith, and set a future meeting with a virtual option in September. During the meeting chair Ennis referenced a follow-up meeting on Sept. 6 for policies and procedures regarding member confirmations, and a later exchange identified a September 9 meeting date with a virtual component; the meeting record contains both references.

Votes at a glance

- Motion: Amend agenda to include public comment
- Mover: Catherine Presley; Second: Audrey Muslow Hicks
- Vote: Unanimous (recorded yes votes: Maria Annis; Dee Budgewater; Dr. Rachel (surname not specified in transcript); Audrey Muslow Hicks; Catherine Presley; Vicky Smith; Dr. Jessica White; Jamar Lanier Ennis)
- Outcome: Approved

- Motion: Ratify July 23, 2025 election of officers (president: Jamar Lanier Ennis; vice president: Dr. Jessica White; secretary-treasurer: Catherine Presley)
- Mover: Vicky Smith; Seconds: Dee Budgewater and Maria Annis
- Vote: Unanimous (same recorded yes votes)
- Outcome: Approved

- Motion: Ratify installation of Dr. Lewis as interim superintendent
- Mover: Dr. Jessica White; Second: Maria Annis
- Vote: Unanimous (same recorded yes votes)
- Outcome: Approved

- Motion: Ratify signature authority for Dr. Lewis
- Mover: Dee Budgewater; Second: Vicky Smith
- Vote: Unanimous (same recorded yes votes)
- Outcome: Approved

What the meeting covered and why it matters

The board used the meeting to formalize actions taken at an emergency July meeting and to add a public-comment period that had not been on the published agenda. The public comment focused on two board seats left vacant because nominees were not confirmed by the state senate in time; board leadership said they will propose procedures to ensure timely confirmations so board membership is not interrupted. By ratifying the superintendent appointment and signature authority, the board confirmed the superintendent's authority to manage district operations and sign documents, either directly or by delegation.

Meeting context and next steps

The board recorded a quorum of eight members at the start of the meeting. Chair Ennis said the board will draft policies and procedures to track membership confirmations and avoid future vacancies; he said those policies will be discussed at an upcoming meeting (the transcript refers both to Sept. 6 and to Sept. 9 as follow-up dates). The board adjourned at 9:29 a.m.