Applications will be accepted for those interested in an interim appointment to the Mathews County School Board, with the four remaining board members expected to make a decision on a replacement for Dr. Michael Richards at the Sept. 21 meeting.

Richards previously announced that he would be resigning from the board effective Aug. 31. Richards, who was elected in 2007, said his decision was based on health considerations.

Last Wednesday, the school board held a special meeting in the Mathews High School media center to review the procedure for filling a school board vacancy.

The school board will hold a public hearing at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 14, in the MHS media center. At this time, the names of all the prospective candidates will be announced, and each applicant will have the opportunity to make a brief statement to the board. A closed session will follow this hearing.

The following Tuesday, Sept. 21, at the board’s regular monthly meeting, the school board is expected to vote on its choice. In case the board cannot reach a consensus, the judges of the circuit court of the county may make the appointment.

"I don’t see that happening with this board," said vice chairman Jen Little. The entire board will have two opportunities to review the applicants—following the Sept. 14 hearing and during a special closed meeting at the start of the Sept. 21 meeting.

From the number of phone calls she has received over the past week, Little said she expects a number of good candidates to come forward.

The one-page "interest form" that Superintendent of Schools David J. Holleran developed for prospective school board members includes a place for three character references. Holleran indicated that he would probably do most of the reference checks himself, depending on how many forms are returned by the Sept. 13 deadline.

Applicants must conform to all of the requirements of a candidate for election (full-time county resident, a registered voter, etc.). In addition, all applicants will be giving their consent for a criminal background check.

If all goes as planned, the new school board member will take his or her seat at the Oct. 19 meeting.

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