Last night the Cumberland County Commission filled a vacant seat on the school board created by the resignation of Josh Stone.

The reason Stone stepped down from the school board was he moved outside of his district.

The county commission heard from two that completed the paperwork to submit for the vacancy in time. The two included Anita Hale and Brian McDonald. Each had up to 10 minutes to address the commission on why they wanted to serve on the school board.

McDonald was first to speak to the county commission.

McDonald is currently the director of engineering at Crossville Ceramics. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Texas at Arlington in 1983. In July 1999, he started his career at Crossville Ceramics. He served as president of Crossville Youth Baseball and Softball for six years. He also is an active member of Cumberland Fellowship Church where he serves as a member of the board of directors and a trustee.

“If selected I will work with the board of education to submit a fair and balanced budget to the county commission for their consideration,” said McDonald.

Hale addressed the county commission second.

She moved to Crossville in 1988. She has a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education. She later became a teacher at North Cumberland Elementary and taught for 28 years until she retired in May 2016. Hale also taught in Mississippi from 1981 until 1988 and in Louisiana from 1980 to 1981.

“I strongly believe in the Cumberland County School System and the education it affords to the children,’ said Hale.

After the candidates spoke, commissioners nominated individuals from the two candidates. Commissioner Wendell Wilson nominated Anita Hale, and Commissioner John Patterson nominated McDonald. After nominations ceased, the vote was held and Anita Hale was appointed to the vacant school board seat. The vote was 12-4 with Commissioners York, Kyle Davis, Hyder, Threet, Seiber, Jack Davis, Lowe, Wilson, Sherrill, Baldwin, Cooper and Holbrook supporting Hale. Commissioners Norris, Gibson, Blalock, and Patterson voted for McDonald.

Immediately after the vote, County Mayor Allen Foster administered the oath of office to Hale and all official documents were signed making the appointment official.

Hale will serve the remainder of Stone’s term on the school board until the August 2020 election.