Canton school board accepts superintendent’s recommendation to terminate employee after executive session

The Canton Public School District Board of Trustees voted 2–1 on July 30 to accept Superintendent Gary Hannah’s recommendation to terminate an employee after discussing the matter in executive session.

Chair Johnny Brown announced the decision upon return to open session, saying the board voted to accept the superintendent’s recommendation. The vote in open session was recorded as Johnny Brown — Aye; Peter Brown — Nay; Glen Lacey — Aye. Two trustees, Dr. Shivochie Dinkins and Lenderrick Taylor, were absent for the meeting and the votes.

Before the board moved into confidential executive session, an employee and the employee’s attorney appeared and asked to address the board publicly. The transcript records that both the employee’s attorney and the employee urged the board to reject the superintendent’s recommendation to terminate.

According to the minutes, Trustee Glen Lacey made the motion to accept the superintendent’s recommendation to terminate the employee; Trustee Johnny Brown seconded. The motion passed 2–1 in executive session and was announced to the public after the board returned to open session.

The board’s public minutes do not include the employee’s name, the specific charges or the superintendent’s written recommendation in the public record. The minutes note only that the board considered a personnel matter in executive session and then accepted the recommendation to terminate. The employee appeared with an attorney and supporters and asked to address the board in public prior to the executive session.

The board adjourned after announcing the outcome. The district’s next regular board meetings and locations were listed in the minutes.