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Ben Hill County board appoints Stevie Harnett interim superintendent after 4–3 vote
Summary
The Ben Hill County Board of Education appointed Stevie Harnett as interim superintendent in a 4–3 vote after rejecting an earlier motion to name James Surman. The board also agreed to run a 90-day search and hold a special-call meeting to manage the process.
The Ben Hill County Board of Education appointed Stevie Harnett interim superintendent by a 4–3 vote following two competing nominations during a regular meeting.
The Chair initially moved to appoint James Surman as interim superintendent for up to 90 days; that motion failed on a 3–4 vote. Later, Board member Cox moved to appoint Stevie Harnett "until the job can be filled permanently," and the board approved that motion 4–3.
Board members debated the appointments before the second vote. One board member said, "But this is somebody I don't know, wouldn't know, and I can't support this recommendation," expressing concern about advancing a candidate the member had not previously met. Other members argued that customary practice is to appoint the person who has been doing operations with the superintendent during transitions.
The board chair said the superintendent search could take about 90 days and that the board would address the search at a special-call meeting. The board voted to table the broader search discussion for the special meeting.
The board did not provide public resumes or additional background on the two nominees during the meeting. The appointment takes effect immediately; further details and a timetable for the permanent search were set to be determined at the special-call meeting.
