The Haywood County School Board met in special session Monday night, November 3, to select their top two candidates to fill the Director of Schools position vacated by George Chapman in August. But in a second vote, board members voted 4 to 1 to offer the position to Marlon King, a principal in Fayette County.

This action follows a week of scheduled visits with each candidate, meetings with school employees, public officials and with the public before their interviews each night.

Interviewed were Dr. Cedric Gray of Memphis, Dr. Brenda King of Nashville, Mr. Marlon King and Interim Director of Schools Doris Battle. On Saturday the board also held a community forum in which the public was invited to speak.

At the meeting Monday, Chairman Harold Garrett asked for discussion, then directors voted on their top two candidates. Dr. Gray received four votes, Mr. King four votes, and Mrs. Battle, two votes. Following another discussion, each board member voted for their number one candidate, and Mr. King received four votes to Mrs. Battle’s one vote.

The board also voted to authorize Mr. Garrett to offer the position and a compensation package to Mr. King.