ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) —

More than two dozen people have expressed interest in the vacant Buncombe County Schools Board of Education seat.

After several failed votes during a special-called meeting Tuesday morning, the board voted unanimously to add the board vacancy to its June 6 action agenda.

The board is comprised of representatives from the districts of each of the six traditional high schools and an at-large member. At-large board member Amanda Simpkins cited personal reasons in announcing her resignation, effective May 15.

The board had set May 22 as the deadline for applications and May 28 as the day for a special-called meeting about filling the vacancy, Superintendent Dr. Rob Jackson said.

“As of close of business on the deadline, May 22, 2024, 25 candidates had responded to the board to show their interest in the position,” Jackson said.

He said two other candidates responded after the deadline.

“It’s encouraging to see this number of people that are interested,” board chairperson Ann B. Franklin said.

She said the board had read and considered all the applicants before calling for a motion.

A motion was made to appoint former board member Pat Bryant to fill the seat for the remainder of the term, which ends Nov. 30.

But board member Kim Plemmons called for more time, considering the number of applicants.

“I’m truly not prepared to make a decision today,” Plemmons said. “Twenty-five are a lot of people to consider.”

Board member Rob Elliot agreed.

“I’m speaking against the motion because there are 25 applicants. I believe the timeline is too short to give them adequate consideration,” Elliot said.

The vote for Bryant to fill the seat ended in a tie at 3.

Plemmons then made a motion to extend the review process by a week. That vote, too, ended in a tie.

Elliot then made a motion for the Rev. Charles Martin to fill the empty seat. That motion failed for a lack of a second.

Another vote for Bryant to fill the seat ended in another tie.

The more than 20-minute meeting finally ended after a motion to add the vacant seat to the June 6 agenda passed unanimously.

The 27 applicants include:

1. Benjamin Alexander
2. Pat Bryant
3. Tim Burleson
4. Judy Butler
5. Nora Shalaway Carpenter
6. Naomi Sease Carriker
7. Adam Carter
8. Mary Cole
9. Teresa Davidson
10. Jim Fulton
11. John Gordon
12. Kamiyo Lanning
13. Dennis Lingerfelt
14. Candace Mance
15. Charles Martin
16. Osundu McPeters
17. Stuart Miles
18. Chad Nesbit
19. Kim Poteat
20. Laina Stapleton
21. Linda Tatsapaugh
22. Mark Watman
23. Glenda Weinert
24. David Wright
25. Jeff Zelenka
26. Meredith Schmidt — received past the deadline
27. Ted Godleski — received past the deadline