After a hasty 2-week appointment process to fill Reverend Lisa Hunt’s vacant school board seat, Kay Brooks defeated Gracie Porter by a one vote margin last night on the Metro Council floor.
Councilman Michael Craddock nominated Brooks for the District 5 position and told council members that Metro Schools are in a state that requires the city to do something “different.” However, Craddock avoided mentioning that Brooks has home-schooled her four children – a fact that alarmed several council members in a committee meeting before the vote.
Brooks did not attend a candidate forum organized by Councilman Mike Jameson who nominated retired Metro principal Gracie Porter. School Board Chairwoman Pam Garrett praised Jameson for the forum, but says the vote ended in partisan politics.
“One could build a case that this has not been a real open and public process. I’ve been hearing for the last 24-hours that the Republican Party has boasted 18 votes for Mrs. Brooks’ candidacy, and certainly it’s a free country and everyone can do what they want to do.”
The final vote tally was 18 to 17 with two council members not voting. Garrett said Brooks will be formally sworn-in at the next school board meeting.
The council appointment lasts through the August 3rd election when voters will choose who will serve a two-year term. Gracie Porter says she will run for the seat in August.
Richard Tennent and Charles Townsend withdrew from the nomination process hours before the council vote Tuesday.
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