The city’s new appointment to the municipal school board will be given word this week as to when she can take her seat.
Vanessa Crowder was appointed by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen on a 4 to 1 vote last month. She was nominated to replace school trustee Deborah Crook, who replaced former trustee Herman Leach upon his resignation.
The city council sent a letter to the Yazoo City Municipal School District trustees that stated Crowder would assume her post in early March.
According to state law, “board members are appointed by the governing authority of the municipality. Terms are for five years with one term ending each year on the first Saturday in March.”
Crowder was even sworn in by Judge Bennie K. Warrington on March 3.
The appointment also comes in the midst of the school district’s search for is next superintendent.
But it has been reported to The Herald that the search and Crowder joining the board as been put on hold for now.
There have been issues raised over the exact beginning date of Crowder’s appointment to the school trustee board.
Some have said Crowder would assume her seat in June, when Crook took her position originally. Others have reflected on state law that states “the first Saturday in March.”
And with the superintendent search narrowing down to 15 candidates, time is crucial.
John Wallace, school board president, said the trustees held off their meeting with the Mississippi School Board Association this week until the confusion can be sorted out.
“We postponed our meeting with the state school board because of this appointment,” Wallace said, Thursday afternoon. “We simply need to fin when she (Crowder) can take her seat. We don’t want to break the law, and we want to do it the right way.”
Wallace said Briggs Hopson, the school board attorney, and the state school board association are researching the matter to find a clear answer.
“We want to see what the attorney and state school board will say,” Wallace said. “We will wait for the word to be given as to what we need to do. Whatever we need to do, we will do it.”
Crowder told The Herald she is also confused about her status with the school board.
“I don’t know what is going on,” she said. “I thought everything was fine for me to start. I am just really confused.”
Wallace said a special call meeting on the matter was to be held yesterday, Friday, at 10 a.m.
The outcome of that meeting was unavailable as of press time.
