Johnston County school board approves vacancy announcement, sets Jan. 31 deadline for District 7 applicants

The Johnston County Public Schools Board of Education on Tuesday approved a vacancy announcement and application process to fill the District 7 seat left vacant by a departing member, setting a Jan. 31 noon deadline for submissions.

The action, moved by Mr. Donovan and seconded by Ms. Lee, passed on a voice vote with four ayes and no opposition. Board attorney (name not specified) told the board the appointment would fill the unexpired term through December 2028 and that the posted materials will reflect statutory requirements and the board’s policy.

The board approved an application packet that, according to the board attorney, will ask candidates to provide a letter of interest, a resume, three references and proof of domicile for District 7. The attorney also recommended that applicants provide the last four digits of their Social Security number to verify identity and that the board perform a background check using the same third-party vendor the school system uses.

"The document lists the criteria for holding office, and to be appointed to the board of education for a seat to fill the unexpired term. So through December 2028," the board attorney said during the discussion.

Board members asked procedural questions about timing and logistics. The board clerk (identified in the meeting as Miss Danz/Dance) will accept applications by email or mail and the finalized documents will be posted on the district website. Board staff (Mr. Carr) will post the materials online and the board chair indicated the application packet would go live the day of the meeting.

The board discussed how to handle the interview phase depending on the number of applicants. The attorney recommended waiting until the application window closes before deciding how many candidates to interview; the board indicated it would meet immediately after the scheduled agenda review (not later than 9:30 a.m.) to narrow applicants or conduct interviews as needed.

Members raised a procedural question about whether an incoming member would miss prior informational meetings (the Innovation Academy work session scheduled for Jan. 27). Board staff noted that the Innovation Academy is an information-only work session and recommended keeping it on the calendar; members agreed it could proceed as scheduled.

The meeting record shows the board approved the vacancy announcement and application with the January 31 deadline. Mr. Donovan made the motion to accept the documents and Ms. Lee seconded; the voice vote recorded four ayes and no opposed votes.

Next steps announced in the meeting: post the vacancy announcement and application packet online, accept applications through Jan. 31 at noon, and convene to review and potentially interview candidates immediately following the board’s agenda review meeting (time to be noticed).