Eighteen Apply for Open School Board Seat

The will soon have a open seat, and 18 applicants have stepped up to fill the spot.

Board member  after taking a .  County policy does not allow county workers to hold elected positions.

All applications were due Friday, and the board plans to swear in a new member by March 26.

"It's a surprise," said school board President Thomas Mays. "It's the most [applicants] I can remember from the last three appointments I've been involved with."

Applicants include two candidates from last November's school board election— Laurie Gettings and Robert Bodi.

Mays said that there are usually about 10 or 11 applicants for an open seat on the board, but that everyone who applied will be interviewed.

"I think it’s important that if someone is going to put the time and effort into applying, they should get an interview," he said.

All applicants will be asked to answer the same questions during interviews Tuesday and Wednesday of next week. If a second round of interviews is necessary, the board will hold them on Thursday, and make a decision by the end of the week.

"We’re looking at the skill set of the person, what is it that they would bring to the open seat on the board, why they want to be a board member and what they see as the strengths and weaknesses are in the district," Mays said. "Obviously, there are people who are interested in being a part of something that's excellent and our goal is to have a person fill the seat that is willing to do whatever's necessary to make the district better tomorrow than it is today."