Duplin County Schools board appoints interim superintendent and asks state to confirm the hire

The Duplin County Schools board on Aug. 4 voted to amend an assistant superintendent’s contract and appoint an interim superintendent, and approved a resolution asking the State Board of Education to confirm the appointment.

Chairman Davis opened the special-call meeting by asking for a moment of silence after the recent death of the district’s superintendent, which the transcript references as “doctor Bosham.” Bobby Mobley led the board and attendees in a prayer asking for comfort for the family and protection for students and staff.

After a brief public-comment period in which no one signed up to speak, the board approved the meeting agenda on a voice vote after a motion moved for Miss Edwards and seconded by Mister Jones.

Following an executive session on personnel and attorney-client privilege, Mister Jones moved to amend the assistant superintendent for human resources contract and to appoint an interim superintendent; the motion was seconded and carried on a voice vote. The board then approved a resolution “requesting that the state board of education approves mister Darren Kendall as interim superintendent for Duplin County Schools,” as stated verbatim in the transcript.

The transcript contains inconsistent references to the appointee’s name. The board addressed and later heard remarks from a person identified in the transcript as "Mister Taylor," who said he is humbled and honored and pledged to continue serving the district. The transcript also uses the names "Darren Kendall" and variations such as "Darren Tyndall" and "Mister Tindle" when reading motions and resolutions. The board did not record a roll-call vote in the transcript; motions were approved by voice vote with members responding "Aye."

"I would just like to say how much I appreciate this opportunity. I'm humbled and honored," the person identified in the transcript as Mister Taylor said after the board’s action, adding a pledge to "continue to serve the students of Duplin County Schools and build upon the legacy" of the late superintendent.

Chairman Davis said the appointee will be sworn in by the clerk’s office at the board’s regular meeting the following night, and the board will begin a search for a permanent superintendent. The meeting adjourned after a final motion to close the special call.

The board’s formal actions in the transcript include approval of the agenda, a motion to enter and return from executive session, a motion to amend an assistant superintendent contract and appoint an interim superintendent, and passage of a resolution requesting State Board of Education approval. The transcript does not show a roll-call tally or individual recorded votes.