The Habersham County of Education appointed Darlene Hudson to the Board of Education as a second appointment made during their special called meeting Monday morning.
Hudson retired from the school district at the end of May.
Habersham County Board of Education Chairman Doug Westmoreland explained the process in filling the District 4 seat vacated on February 9 by Kristie Dover.
The process
Westmoreland explained that the board discussed the matter with its legal counsel and was advised that they did not have to fill the seat. Also, the District 4 seat was vacated outside the window requiring the board to immediately hold an election. Dover resigned outside the 60 day window of a general election.
He told the members of the public that the board did not rush to fill the seat for that reason.
A previous situation occurred several years ago where a board member resigned inside the election window that had to be filled relatively quickly.
Westmoreland announced that out of courtesy to the community that the board needed to fill the vacant seat.
He stated that during the February 12 board meeting, they asked the public that if anyone was interested in that seat to let the board know. He explained from that request, ten people expressed interest in the position on the school board.
Three of the interested parties lived outside of District 4 and could not qualify for the seat. One person that was interested in the seat spoke with members of the board. After that conversation, they withdrew their name. Three others had conflicts of interest of varying degrees.
Westmoreland explained that it finally got down to three individuals that were very qualified and respected in the community, one female and two males. He explained that the board members interviewed the individuals with only two board members present at a time.
He stated that after the interviews were completed, one individual stood out more than the other two. Westmoreland stated that she had previously been a contract employee for the school system and retired at the end of May.
Hudson appointed
After the explanation of the process the board members followed, he asked for a motion to appoint Darlene Hudson to the Board of Education. The motion was made by Board member Robert Barron and seconded by Board member Joey Duncan. Hudson was appointed unanimously by the board members.
Hudson will be sworn-in and will take her seat at the next board meeting. To retain the seat, she will have to run for election this fall. According to Habersham County Elections Supervisor Laurel Ellison, qualifying for the seat will probably be in August. But first, her office must receive the resolution passed by the Board of Education for a special election to fill the District 4 seat.
She had this to say after the appointment by the board. “I’m beyond joyful. I’m very vested in this community and this county.”
“I just love moving from being an administrator since 2005 at six different schools in this county to now getting to be part of service,” Hudson said.
Hudson has 34 years of experience in education. She had been with Habersham County as an administrator in the elementary, middle and high schools since 2005. She believes that having that experience at all grade levels gives her the comprehensive background that she can bring to the school board.
