Both the Democratic and Republican candidate for superintendent of Cherokee County Schools have proposed a solution to filling a temporary vacancy left by Brian Johnson who recently resigned as superintendent.

During the Tuesday, Oct. 16 meeting of the Cherokee County Board of Education, Johnson submitted his letter of resignation, effective immediately, stating that while he resigned as superintendent, he was not resigning as a tenured employee of the school system. The board then voted to accept names from those interested in filling the acting superintendent’s position through Jan. 1 when the newly-elected superintendent takes office. Those interested have until today, Friday, Oct. 19, at noon, to submit their name to Deneen Jimmerson, secretary for the superintendent.

Following the meeting, Brett Keasler, who is running as a Democratic candidate for superintendent and Mitchell Guice, who is running as a Republican candidate for superintendent, put their heads together and submitted their names hoping the board would allow them to serve as co-acting superintendents through Nov. 6. They request that the board limit hiring for any major or unnecessary positions until that time.

Both candidates said they had been approached by citizens asking why the logical choice wouldn’t be one of the two candidates. Since the office is now vacant, they feel it would restore trust to the board of education and the public would see there are no hidden agendas among board members.

The two candidates pointed out that if the board appoints an interim or acting superintendent, that person would not be accountable to the public and would not have to answer to anyone whereas one or both candidates would have to answer for their actions at the polls. They are eager to restore trust to the board of education and to return the board of education to the people.

The newly elected members of the Cherokee County Board of Education will be sworn in Nov. 7 and the newly-elected superintendent could be sworn in that same day and begin his duties, which would help in the transition. At they very least, they would like to see the interim period shortened to Nov. 6.

Both Keasler and Guice encourage citizens to attend the next meeting of the Cherokee County Board of Education, scheduled for Monday, Oct. 22, at 8 a.m., at the central office, contact their elected officials and get involved in the process. This would be a good time for them to ask board members questions about what is taking place in the school system.