The Grundy County, Tenn., commission will vote later this month on a new school board member to replace the former chairman who resigned in late November.
Robert Foster resigned Nov. 21 after 12 years on the board amid growing animosity among fellow board members and the director of schools. His resignation came during an investigation of an attempted aggravated rape at Grundy County High School on Oct. 11, 2017, and the vandalism of a school board member's vehicle in November.
During the commission's regular monthly meeting Jan. 22, members will nominate candidates for a vote later that night. The first candidate to receive five votes will be selected and take office immediately.
Before the election, eligible residents of Grundy County may fill out applications to be considered, stating that they meet the requirements set by state law for people looking to hold office. People also will be allowed to offer themselves to be considered for the post the night of the meeting, but only candidates who have been nominated will be considered in the voting process.
The new board member will hold office only until the next regular election, Grundy County Mayor Michael Brady said. Sept. 1 is the beginning of the next term.
Brady said a few people have inquired about the position, and he thinks at least a couple of people will be present at the meeting to pitch themselves as candidates.
After Foster's resignation, the school board appointed a new chairwoman at its December meeting. Phyllis Lusk was unanimously elected to that post on Dec. 4, 2017, with only five of eight board members present.
"We're excited to have Ms. Lusk leading the school board," Director of Schools Jessie Kinsey said after the meeting. "She is a retired educator."
Foster notified Brady he was leaving on Nov. 21, 2017, via a letter of resignation, effective immediately.
"It is my opinion that the board no longer serves the best interests of the students or faculty and I cannot find my way to serve on a board where division is more important than unity," Foster wrote. "I cannot, in good conscience, be involved with a board where some deliberately hurt, annoy, or offend [fellow board members/the director of schools] especially when it impedes the education of our children."
In the letter, he described the meetings after the attempted aggravated rape incident a "disgrace to the citizens of Grundy County." He said certain members of the board seem more interested in dividing the county than unifying.
"There has been so much animosity against each other and the director, it has become impossible to move the system forward," Foster wrote. "Not only is this very frustrating, but it's an embarrassment to our entire county."
Major changes are in order before the board will be able to truly do its job, he wrote.
The five students who are accused of attempting to rape their freshman teammate with the metal handle of a dust mop are not attending regular classes but are still enrolled at the high school, as of latest reports before a judge placed a non-disclosure order on the case, preventing anyone from discussing any details.
They were placed on house arrest and assigned "homebound education" at their first court appearance in October.
School board members and school and county officials have been noticeably quiet about the case. Many have either refused to speak to the press, do not answer phone calls or hang up immediately or agree only to speak off the record. It's still unclear what, if any, actions have been taken after the incident.
Contact staff writer Rosana Hughes at rhughes@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6327 with tips or story ideas. Follow her on Twitter @HughesRosana.