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School board deadlocks on replacement for Barnard

Burke County School Board Controversy

More articles about the Burke County School Board Controversy

By Steve Welker | The News Herald

Published: June 11, 2009

The Burke County school board members split 3-3 today on their choices of replacements for David Barnard.
Board members said after the early morning meeting they expect the seat will remain vacant until voters fill it in the November school board elections.
Tim Buff nominated and Karen Sain seconded Lake James marina operator John Aulgur.
Sam Wilkinson nominated and Buddy Armour seconded retired elementary-school teacher Nellie Yancey.
Board Chair Tracy Norman voted for Aulgur along with Buff and Sain.
Rob Hairfield joined Wilkinson and Armour.
Either nominee needed a majority vote to be seated.
After the first vote failed, Norman invited a motion to reopen the nominations.
Wilkinson and Hairfield both said they didn't see any point to taking another vote, since no one on the board seemed likely to change his or her mind.
Wilkinson and Armour said after the meeting they expect the seat will remain vacant.
A state statute says the board shall (meaning "must") choose a replacement, but Wilkinson pointed out that the law doesn't set any deadline for doing so.
Buff said he, too, doubted the board would settle on a replacement.
Norman said she believes it's still possible the board will fill the seat, but only if some unspecified conditions change.
The other applicants for the position are the Rev. Flemon "Mac" McIntosh, David Turbeville and Justin Tate. James O. Stamey and Andy Brandon withdrew themselves from consideration.