School Board Extends Candidate Review Period

On May 28, 2024, the Buncombe County Board of Education held a special called meeting to address the vacancy left by Amanda Simpkins, the at-large representative who resigned earlier this month. Despite a robust response from the community and thorough discussion, the board decided to extend the review period for selecting a new candidate.

Meeting Highlights

Call to Order and Agenda Approval: The meeting, broadcast live on the BCS Communications YouTube account, began promptly at 9:00 a.m. Madam Chair Franklin called the meeting to order, with board member Amy Churchill participating via conference call. The agenda was approved unanimously.

Filling the At-Large District Representative Seat: Dr. Jackson provided an overview of the process following Miss Simpkins’ resignation. The board received 25 letters of interest by the May 22 deadline and an additional two

letters afterward. The position, advertised across multiple platforms including social media and local media outlets, generated significant interest from a diverse pool of candidates.  The hope had been that selecting a replacement on May 28 would allow time for a new member to undergo orientation before assuming duties and joining the June 6 board meeting.

Nomination and Debate

• Nominee: Board member Judy Lewis nominated Mr. Pat Bryant for his strong support of public education and community respect. However, the nomination was met with differing opinions.  Some voting against selecting Bryant explained that they had no issue with him as a candidate.  Rather they just wanted more time so that they could review the other candidates’ letters as well.
• Discussion Points: Board members expressed concerns about the short timeline and the need for more time to review all candidates thoroughly. One member regretted the rush, emphasizing the importance of selecting someone with no personal agenda and a focus on all children in Buncombe County.

Voting and Decision to Extend Review Period

The board voted on the nomination of Mr. Pat Bryant, resulting in a tie vote. Recognizing the need for additional time to consider all applicants, a motion was made to extend the review period by one week, which ultimately failed to pass. However, the board decided to revisit the decision at their regular meeting on June 6, 2024.

The motion to delay the selection of a new board member until the next scheduled meeting passed unanimously, and the meeting was adjourned.