School Board Hires New Attorney
Lisa Watson McCarty
Publisher
Scott County school officials took a major leap last Tuesday night when they approved a bid for the initial phase of construction on a new sports complex.
The board also hired a new attorney to provide them with legal counsel.
The Scott County School Board voted to hire former 30th Judicial Circuit Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court Judge Greg Baker as their new attorney. Scott County Division Superintendent Jim Scott said the system had received two proposals in response to their recent request for proposals.
Of the two, Baker submitted the lowest bid at a rate of $15,000 per year. The other proposal was for $17,280 for up to 12 hours of advice each month with any additional time billed at a rate of $125 per hour.
Officials praised the former attorney John Sigmond for his assistance but elected to seek new counsel as a cost-saving measure.
Baker was hired on a 4-1 vote with Second District Member Dennis Templeton casting the lone dissenting vote. District 4 School Board Member Kathy McClelland was not present at the meeting, which was held Oct. 6 in the school board conference room.
Scott provided an update of maintenance projects currently in the works for the system before getting down to the question of the new sports complex. A total of four bids were received by officials, which were opened and read earlier in the day at 3 p.m.
Following a 45-minute closed session, the board hired some new coaches and a new school bus driver. Linda Cantrell was hired as a new bus driver, effective Oct. 7.
The board accepted the resignation of Gate City High School Softball Coach Amy Bledsoe and filled the vacancy with the assistant coach, Sarah Bellamy. Cara Hamilton was hired as a replacement for the assistant coach position.
Gail McConnell was selected as the junior varsity boys basketball coach at Twin Springs while Kevin Warner was tapped as the eighth grade boys basketball coach at the school. Britney Lawson Salyer was hired as the softball coach at Twin Springs.
The board also approved membership on the Special Education/504 Advisory Committee, School Health/Safety Advisory Board, Career & Technical Center Advisory Committee and the Nursing Advisory Committee.
The board holds its next meeting Wednesday, Nov. 4 at 6 p.m. at the Scott County Career and Technical Center. All meetings are open to the public.