[ January 18, 2021 ] The Pickens County Board of Education held a called meeting on the Martin Luther King Holiday to appoint Tony Young as Interim Superintendent. The school district attorney, Phil Landrum is directed "to work with Dr. Townsend's attorney to modify the terms and duties of his current contract." View press release below from Board Chair Sue Finley.

The video includes public discussion before the meeting, while the board was in Executive Session in another room, and following the meeting.

AGENDA
I. Call to Order
II. Executive Session
III. Approval of Executive Session Minutes
IV. Termination of Superintendent's Contract
V. Appointment of Interim Superintendent
VI. Adjournment


PRESS RELEASE FROM DISTRICT FOLLOWING MEETING

Ms. Sue Finley, Chair of the Board of Education, provided the following statement after the executive session of the called meeting this afternoon:

"We have appointed Tony Young as our interim Superintendent. He is currently serving as our Assistant Superintendent. We have no plans to conduct any interviews for the office of Superintendent until some degree of stability and leadership can be brought to the current situation. Based on our experience with Mr. Young, we believe that he can and will provide this stability and leadership on an interim basis.

We have directed our attorney to work with Dr. Townsend's attorney to modify the terms and duties of his current contract. We hope that we can reach a mutual understanding that is beneficial to all concerned. We intend for this decision to be budget neutral. We will follow up with you once those details are established.

Some of you have expressed concerns to myself and other Board members that our actions will somehow lead to the loss of SACS accreditation and the invalidation of degrees from the Pickens County School District. These concerns are without merit and show how misinformation can be used to manipulate a rational decision. We have established a process to evaluate the issues surrounding the leadership of our school district, and fearmongering for alternative agendas has no place within that discussion.

In closing, I want to again mention that Mr. Young has reluctantly agreed to perform this job of Interim Superintendent. We thank him for his continued service to our District, and we have confidence that teachers, staff, and the rest of our community will support Mr. Young in this role."


RELATED
Termination of Pickens Superintendent's Contract on Monday's Called Meeting Agenda (1/15/21)
Pickens Board of Education Hires Rick Townsend for Superintendent Position (4/22/20)