Thursday's Internet Edition, August 07, 2008.
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| XTO ENERGY AND TREND Gathering and Treating spent $32,904 as the volume buyer at the Freestone County Fair junior livestock sale and received a trophy belt buckle from the fair commission. Pictured are: l-r, XTO/Trend representatives Brian Klutz, Phil Whatley and Scott Halley, and fair board members Will McSwane, Scott Holmes and Hubie Fryer. The sale brought in more than $420,000 from auction prices and add-on donations. As part of the volume buying effort, XT0/Trend paid $12,700 for the grand champion steer exhibited by Freestone Community 4-H Club member Grant Holmes. |
The board will appoint someone to fill the vacancy instead of conducting a special election.
In the past, board vacancies have been filled by choosing a replacement from candidates who sought election but fell short of the needed number of votes.
Current board president Ossie Outlaw was appointed as a trustee when Roger Pruett resigned in June 2007 and was elected in his own right this May.
Durham also began his board service as an appointee, then won election as a trustee.
Both Outlaw and Durham lost board bids prior to being appointed.
Trustee LaCharles Bass, states that during his time as a board member they have filled vacancies by selecting the next person with the most votes.
“Those who ran for election, in the order they were voted is how we were choosing,” he said.
In the May election, Rebecca Spradlin received 517 votes, with incumbent Outlaw earning 507 and Jacob Carroll receiving 345. Only three candidates ran for the two available positions.
According to precedent, Carroll would be the next and only choice to fill the vacancy.
Superintendent Tony Price states that Carroll has contacted him and understands that the board would be discussing filling the open slot and wanted to inform Price that he would be willing to serve.
Mrs. Spradlin recommended that Jennifer Scott Doyle of Fairfield be considered for the position noting that she had experience as a teacher as well as a bachelors degree in education and a masters in curriculum.
Mrs. Doyle is also 1984 graduate of Fairfield high school who returned to her hometown along with her husband and two children.
She has not, however been a candidate for the FISD board.
Bass reiterates that, during his tenure, the individual selected has always been a candidate for election.
Mrs. Spradlin replied that it could be viewed that because Carroll did not garner enough votes to be elected perhaps he should not be given the opportunity to serve saying, “You could also look at it this way, that he got the least votes, meaning he was the public’s last choice.”
With no other recommendations made, the board chose to first contact Mrs. Doyle, offering her the position. If she did not accept, it was agreed that Carroll would be given the opportunity to fill the vacancy.
Mrs. Doyle is out of the country but has accepted the appointment via e-mail.
Board members also discussed changing the format of their agenda. Changes considered included the removal of discussion and action from items listed as well as the identification of open and closed sessions.
Trustees felt the variations could be counterproductive and hinder the community’s ability to remain informed of the board’s intentions.
In executive session, trustees accepted the resignation of Terri Roberts and FJHS librarian Julianne Medford.
They also approved the employment of first grade teacher Hillary Burns and fourth grade teacher Michelle Chase before adjourning.