Barbour County Board of Education approves three finalists in Marion County superintendent search

The Barbour County Board of Education voted April 2 to approve three finalists for the Marion County School District superintendent search after returning from an executive session that produced no decision.

The board announced the finalists as Dr. Carla Carlisle Matthews, Dr. Elizabeth McDonald and Mr. Sterling Mosley. A board member moved to approve the three nominees; the motion was seconded and the board approved the motion. The transcript records one abstention by Mr. Sweat and a recorded tally of seven in favor and one abstention. The meeting included a brief, apparent counting confusion while members raised hands for the vote.

The board entered executive session earlier in the meeting to discuss the superintendent search; upon returning to open session members said no action was taken during that executive session. Following the vote to approve finalists, a board representative said the candidates will be presented to the public at the board’s regularly scheduled meeting on April 13, 2026, and that the board is coordinating with "Matt," the state department and the superintendent to arrange public viewing and community input on the finalists.

The transcript does not identify who made the motion or who seconded it by name. The motion's formal outcome is recorded in the meeting as approved with a tally of seven yes votes and one abstention (Mr. Sweat). No no votes were recorded in the transcript.

With no other board actions recorded at the special meeting, a member moved to adjourn and the Chair closed the meeting.

Next steps: The board will present the three finalists at its April 13 regular meeting for public and community input as described by board staff during the April 2 session.