Ignoring the recommendation of the principal, the Cherokee County Board of Education, during its Tuesday, April 17 meeting, voted 3-2 against hiring Brett Keasler as assistant principal at Gaylesville School.

Recently, the board named Scott Hays as principal. One of his first tasks in office was hiring an assistant principal and he recommended Keasler, who is currently a math teacher and former assistant principal at Gaylesville School.

During personnel action, Board Members Dewandee Neyman and Lisa McKissick voted for Keasler’s hiring while Board Members Don Stowe, Lynn Rochester and Mark Gossett opposed.

“One of the reasons I am running for superintendent of education is because I really have a passion for helping education improve in Cherokee County,” Keasler stated after the board’s action.

“I am disappointed at what took place tonight,” said Keasler.

“I believe it was in the best interest of Gaylesville School that I move back into the assistant principal’s position.

“It would have allowed us to number one, help a new principal out, number two, allow us to hire a math teacher before the end of the school year and be able to have somebody in place before the election in November.”

“I want to assure everyone that I am going to continue teaching school every day just like I have always done,” said Keasler.

“I will also continue to work hard every day campaigning and I appreciate everybody’s vote and support in November. It is time for a change.”

The board accepted retirements of Laura Oliver, a third grade teacher at Sand Rock School, who has 38 years of service, effective June 1, 2012 and Mary Helen Sanford, library aide at Gaylesville School, who has 15 years of service, effective June 1, 2012.

“I have been fortunate enough to work with Mrs. Oliver and she does an outstanding job in the classroom and I know that she will be missed by the students, former students, faculty and staff here in the community,” said Brian Johnson, superintendent, Cherokee County Schools. “We wish her the best in her retirement. Mrs. Mary Helen Sanford, library aide at Gaylesville School, will be retiring with 15 years of service. And we wish both of these employees the best in their retirement.”

The board also approved the certified placement of Jason Howard as secondary social science teacher at Spring Garden School with head football coaching responsibilities for the 2012-2013 School Year.

In other personnel action, the board:

-Approved a principal contract for Doug David, Cherokee County High School principal.

-Approved funding changes, including Kathy Sewell who was paid with 80 percent special education funding and 20 percent local funding, to 100 percent special education funding and for Pam Acker who was paid with 100 percent local funding to 62 percent special education funding and 38 percent local funding.