Canton school board authorizes counsel to challenge appointment of municipal employee

The Canton Public School District Board of Trustees on March 6 unanimously authorized District Counsel Lisa M. Ross to file a Bill of Exceptions in the Circuit Court of Madison County to challenge the appointment of a municipal employee to the school board.

District Counsel Lisa M. Ross briefed trustees on the upcoming vacancy created by the expiration of Trustee Glen Lacey’s term and told the board “the City of Canton was prohibited by law from appointing a municipal employee to serve on the school board of the Canton Public School District.” She urged the board to consider filing a Bill of Exceptions “no later than March 13, 2026 to prevent the seating of a person who was not authorized to serve as a school board member.”

The motion to authorize counsel to file the court challenge was made by Vice-Chair Lenderrick Taylor and seconded by Trustee Peter Brown; all four trustees voted Aye. The authorization follows the board’s earlier unanimous votes to adopt the meeting agenda and to enter executive session to discuss personnel matters and possible litigation.

Board Chair Johnny Brown called the special meeting to order at 10 a.m. at the Canton Public School District Office. The meeting record notes that three trustees participated by phone and that Superintendent Dwight J. Luckett Sr. and District Counsel Lisa M. Ross were present.

The board did not take any additional public actions at the meeting. The motion authorizing the court filing sets a March 13 deadline for filing in Madison County; beyond that, no further procedural dates were specified in the meeting record. With no further business, the board adjourned by unanimous vote.

The district will now proceed with the court filing within the timeline authorized by the board; the Circuit Court of Madison County will determine whether the municipal employee may be seated.