Lenora Miller, board president and an 11-year board member, created the vacancy at the August meeting when she unexpectedly resigned. Her resignation came as the board prepared to act on hiring teachers, including Tammy Elmore, Miller's daughter. Before the board considered the teacher contracts, Superintendent Gary Scott read Miller's letter of resignation, submitted to avoid any implication of nepotism or influence. Elmore taught last year at Plainview Schools. Miller opted to resign rather than create a problem or obstacle for her daughter's teaching career.
State law requires the board to name a replacement within a specified time.
If the board fails to act, the county election secretary is required to schedule a special election to fill the position. As things now stand, the board has about five weeks to name a new board member. Another legal provision makes any appointment a short-term tenure. Under the law, any appointment to a city, county or school district governing board can serve only until the next scheduled election. This means that anyone named for Miller's Zone 2 seat would have to file and be elected in February to complete the unexpired term.