Majors was mum March 9, but now claims abstention on contract vote

The chairman of the Grady County Board of Education delayed executing a new contract approved by the board last month to extend the tenure of the county school superintendent for an additional three years and then on Tuesday night he requested the meeting minutes of the March 9 meeting be revised to reflect that he abstained from voting on the superintendent’s new contract.

“So you are saying you are abstaining?” board vice chairman John White asked.

Chairman Derrick Majors said that he “did not cast a vote” and that he was requesting the minutes be revised to reflect that.

Minutes of the board of education meetings are recorded by school system employee Dana Pritchett. Her minutes of the March meeting stated, “A recommendation was made by Mrs. Hardy to offer Superintendent a three year contract. This recommendation was seconded by Mr. White and carried unanimously.”

Chairman Majors did not voice his desire to abstain at the March 9 meeting, but Tuesday he asked that the minutes be changed to reflect that he did not vote, that he did abstain from the issue of a new contract for Dr. Kermit Gilliard.

Regardless, the result of the board’s action is not effected and with the board’s consent to Chairman Major’s request the motion passed 3-0. Board member Jeff Worsham was absent on March 9, but he has stated publicly he supported the board’s action to offer Dr. Gilliard a new contract. Worsham also voiced his continued support for the work the superintendent is doing and his commitment to the children of Grady County.

Chairman Majors did not sign the superintendent’s new contract until March 31, blaming his work schedule for the delay.

The school board chairman did not elaborate on why he had not voiced his desire to abstain on March 9 or why he is choosing to abstain now.

In related news Tuesday night, board member Teresa Gee Hardy reminded the board members that “whole board” training was required to be completed prior to July 3. After a brief discussion, Superintendent Gilliard was asked to contact a representative of the Georgia School Boards Association about possible dates for in-person training here and to report back to the board.