The Clinton County Board of Education is seeking applications for one of the seats on the school board following the resignation of Junior Cecil, District 4 board member.

Superintendent Charlotte Bernard said the main reason for Cecil’s departure from the Clinton County School Board was because he was recently hired as the Clinton County 4-H Extension Agent through the University of Kentucky Extension Office.

“It’s not illegal for him to hold both positions, however, the Extension Office felt like it would be a conflict of interest somewhat because he will be working with the kids from the school as a part of his job,” Bernard said. “We will miss Mr. Cecil. When you do public service, it takes a special person. His service is greatly appreciated.”

Bernard said making decisions on the school board is a difficult position. Decisions have to be made all the time dealing with the well-being of the children. She said the board makes decisions with the health and well-being of the students being first and foremost.

According to the Board of Education, Cecil’s position would expire on December 31, 2016.

The person who is ultimately selected to serve District 4 will be doing so through the entire unexpired term and the position will next appear on the election ballot in November 2016.

Requirements for the position on the Clinton County Board of Education is: members have to be at least 24 years old, a Kentucky citizen for the previous three years, a registered voter in the district and voter in the precinct(s) of the vacancy, which is Clinton County School District, Division #4, have a high school diploma or a GED certificate, must be in compliance with anti-nepotism state laws, and cannot provide contract services for the school district.

The job of a school board member involves developing policy that governs the operation of the schools. A member will provide visionary leadership that establishes long-range plans and programs for the school district and are responsible for setting local tax rates and practicing vigorous stewardship to ensure that all school district funds are spent wisely.

The job also entails, when necessary, the hiring of a new superintendent and issuing annual evaluation reports.

Bernard said her office doesn’t have any control over who will be appointed to the District 4 board seat.

“All we are responsible for is providing applications and making sure the job is posted,” Bernard said.

Bernard said the Kentucky Commissioner of Education’s office is responsible for making the decision on who to put in the vacant seat.

“The Commissioner’s Designee for Board Member Appointment will come down and interview those applicants and then the office will make a decision on who will fill the spot,” Bernard said.

The position will be filled by the chief state school officer within ninety (90) days after the vacancy occurs. Once the position has been filled, that person will hold the seat until the successor is elected and has qualified.

“That person will serve almost a year in that seat,” Bernard said.

During the seven years Cecil held the position as school board member, he has worked with two different superintendents, Mickey McFall and Charlotte Bernard.

Cecil said it has been a pleasure working with both of them as well as his fellow board members of the past and present.

“I hate giving up the position, but it was an agreement for me taking the new 4-H job at the Extension Office. It was a very tough decision when both positions impact children’s lives, but I feel I can have a more direct impact on kids’ lives in the 4-H job,” Cecil said. “I’m not implying that as a board member we don’t impact lives, I just feel that my new role will allow me to have more one on one interaction with the kids.”

Leaving the board position was no easy decision for Cecil. He said he has learned valuable things during his tenure as a Clinton County School Board Member.

“I have learned a lot about being patient and have seen many different ways to accomplish things, in more than one way,” Cecil said. “I would like to thank everyone who had enough confidence in me to cast their vote for me. I would love to have stayed on as a board member until my children were out of school, but the Lord had a different plan for me. I would encourage anyone who has children in school and has a vested interest in a positive change in children to apply for this position if you live in my district. I feel whoever gets the position will enjoy working with all the fellow board members and Ms. Bernard. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to serve as a school board member. It was a wonderful experience.”

Cecil also said he would like to thank all school employees for their hard work everyday.