Mercer County Schools board approves Derek Spence as assistant principal at Bluefield Middle

The Mercer County Schools Board of Education approved the appointment of Derek Spence as assistant principal at Bluefield Middle after a brief special meeting focused on personnel. The board voted 4-0 to approve the hire; the Chair said, "we just have a brief personnel agenda ... Derek Spence as assistant principal at Bluefield Middle and as long as it's approved, he would start tomorrow."

The appointment was introduced as a single personnel item on a short special-meeting agenda. After the Chair asked for a motion, one board member moved to approve and another seconded; the Chair called for a voice vote and said, "All in favor indicate by saying I." The Chair later announced, "That passes four to zero."

Board members did not provide additional public discussion of Spence's experience, salary, or other appointment details during the public portion of the meeting. Immediately after approving the appointment, the board went off the public record for student disciplinary matters; a staff member announced the live recording would stop and that the board would adjourn after the closed hearing.