Vernon ISD trustees cancel unopposed trustee election, unanimously hire Blaise Boswell as superintendent

The Vernon Independent School District Board of Trustees voted March 9 to cancel its general trustee election after determining candidates were unopposed and to approve the contract hiring Blaise Boswell as superintendent, according to the board minutes.

President Emory Byars called the special meeting to order at 7:30 a.m. The board listed six trustees present: Emory Byars, Chris Lehman, Jarrod David, Amanda Lehman and Carrie Hawkins, and Patrick Parmer. The meeting opened with an invocation and pledges to the flags and no members of the public spoke during the public-comment portion for agenda items.

Board member Amanda Lehman moved to "cancel the election" for general trustees on the grounds that the candidates were unopposed; Jarrod David seconded the motion and it "passed unanimously," the minutes state. Following that vote, Jarrod David moved that the board enter closed session at 7:31 a.m., citing Texas Government Code sections 551.071 and 551.074; Amanda Lehman seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

The board returned to open session at 7:51 a.m. on a motion by Amanda Lehman, seconded by Carrie Hawkins. In open session the trustees voted to "approve the contract and hiring of Blaise Boswell as discussed"; the motion was made by Chris Lehman, seconded by Jarrod David and passed unanimously.

Amanda Lehman moved to adjourn at 8:02 a.m.; Patrick Parmer seconded and that motion also passed unanimously. The minutes record Emory Byars as board president and list a secretary on the minutes document.

Board members present and actions recorded at the March 9, 2026 special meeting were taken as described in the official minutes.