Hickman County board accepts director's resignation, sets interim-application process and allows interim to apply for permanent post
Summary
The Hickman County Board of Education voted Nov. 4 to accept Director of Schools Mr. Mullins' resignation, to accept letters of interest for an interim director with a Nov. 12 deadline, and to permit an interim to be considered for the permanent director post after a 6–1 vote.
The Hickman County Board of Education voted Nov. 4 to accept a resignation letter from Director of Schools Mr. Mullins and to open a process for choosing an interim director, including allowing an interim to be considered for the permanent post.
Board counsel Mr. Bennett told trustees the resignation would be effective Dec. 31 and urged the board to plan the interim selection with the district's budget timetable in mind. He recommended soliciting letters of interest and asked applicants to state whether they wanted only to be considered for the interim role or also for the permanent director position.
Trustees moved to accept letters of interest for the interim director position, with letters to be sent to the board chair. The board set a deadline of Nov. 12 (seven days before a special-called meeting on Nov. 19) to receive letters. The motion to accept letters of interest passed on a roll call vote.
Separately, the board debated whether to waive Policy 5.801 — which restricts an interim from being a candidate for the permanent director — or to leave it in place. Supporters of permitting an interim to apply said it provides clarity and could help the district during the upcoming budget season; opponents said limiting applicants to internal candidates would better preserve continuity and reduce perceived conflicts.
The board voted to allow an interim director to be a candidate for the permanent director position (a motion characterized in the meeting as a waiver of Policy 5.801). The vote passed 6–1.
In follow-up remarks, counsel reiterated that the board is not required to amend its policy formally but can expressly permit the interim to be considered; he recommended that interested internal candidates submit letters indicating if they also want to be considered for the permanent post, so the board can narrow its review if it later decides not to change the policy.
The board set a special-called meeting for Tuesday, Nov. 19 at 6:30 p.m. to address interim selection and related items; letters of interest must be received by Nov. 12. Trustees also voted later in the meeting to accept Mr. Mullins' resignation (motion carried with one member opposed).
