The Middlesboro Independent School District is currently accepting nominations for a qualified person to serve on the Middlesboro Board of Education.

The vacancy occurred when former board member Traci Barnett resigned.

Superintendent, Waylon Allen stated, “the process to nominate yourself or someone is simple; the application can be picked up at Central Office any weekday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.”

Allen encourages local, qualified individuals to apply. In order to be eligible the applicant must meet the following criteria:

• Be at least 24 years of age;

• A Kentucky citizen for the last three years;

• A registered voter in the district and voter precinct(s) of the vacancy;

• Have a high school diploma or a GED certificate;

• Must be in compliance with anti-nepotism state laws;

• Cannot provide contract services for the school district.

The criteria for the position is almost identical to filling in other local government offices.

The Kentucky School Boards Association has set forth on its website additional items that potential board members should know.

“In Kentucky, school board members work as a team to govern the activities of their school district by setting policy and providing resources to help every student learn. The focus of every decision or action of the board should reflect commitment to improving student achievement in the district,” it reads on www.ksba.org, where more can be found.

A brief job profile of a school board member is stated by the KSBA as, “A Kentucky school board member should:

• Be knowledgeable or willing to learn more about public education, the local district, student achievement, and board member roles and responsibilities.

• Have the skills to analyze, collaborate, communicate and thick critically.

• Understand how to deal with the media and be willing to work with them.

• Know how to work as a team: how to listen, agreeable disagree, manage change and solve problems.

• Be creative, dependable, honest, humble, respectful, supportive, understanding and visionary.”

Kentucky’s Commissioner of Education, Stephen L. Pruitt, will select the board member from the qualified applicants. The applications must be completed and mailed to the Kentucky Department of Education by Feb. 26. This is a public service position and the Middlesboro Independent Public Schools will not employ the person appointed. The individual selected will fill the position until the November 2018 regular election term.

If you have interest or questions regarding the position, please feel free to contact Middlesboro Central Office at 606-242-8800.