WASHINGTON COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD ANNOUNCES VACANCY IN MONROE DISTRICT SEAT; OUTLINES REPLACEMENT PROCESS
ABINGDON, VA – [June 9, 2026] – The Washington County School Board announced today that it is seeking qualified applicants to fill a vacancy in the Monroe District seat, following the formal resignation of board member Dr. Lee Brannon, effective June 9, 2026. Dr. Brannon has been a strong education leader in Washington County and Southwest Virginia for decades and resigned to become the Interim Board of Supervisor Member for the Monroe District.
Pursuant to Virginia Code § 24.2-228(A), the School Board will fill the vacancy on an interim basis by appointment made by the remaining members. The interim member will serve until a qualified person is officially elected to fill the remainder of the term during a Special Election likely to be held concurrently with the next general election in November 2026. The current term for the Monroe District seat runs through December 31, 2027.
Application Process for Interim Appointment: The School Board invites qualified voters residing within the Monroe Election District to submit application materials for consideration. To be considered for the interim appointment, applicants must submit the following documents:
A formal application – For applications and further information, contact Kellie Phillips, Clerk of the School Board, at kellie@wcs.k12.va.us or (276) 739-3001.
A written statement of interest outlining the reasons the applicant wishes to serve and why they believe they are qualified to serve on an interim basis.
A detailed resume outlining the applicant’s education, employment history, and other relevant qualifications.
All application materials must be directed to the Clerk of the School Board and received no later than 3:00 PM on June 30, 2026. Materials may be submitted via email or in-person.
Public Hearing and Selection Timeline To ensure transparency and community involvement, the School Board will adhere to the following timeline:
Public Inspection of Applications: The identities of all interested candidates will be announced, and their application materials will be made available for public inspection, at or prior to the public hearing.
Notice of Public Hearing: A formal notice of the required public hearing will be published in the local newspaper and on the division’s website at least 10 days prior to the hearing.
Public Hearing: The School Board will host a public hearing on July 13, 2026, to receive the views of citizens within the school division. Only candidates whose names are considered at this hearing are eligible for appointment.
Interim Appointment: Following a mandatory 7-day waiting period after the public hearing, the School Board will meet to make the interim appointment by public motion and vote.
Candidate Qualifications Applicants must be qualified voters and residents of the Monroe Election District at the time of application and appointment. The chosen appointee will be required to subscribe to an oath of office and comply with the Virginia Freedom of Information Act and the Virginia State and Local Government Conflict of Interests Act.
For applications and further information, contact Kellie Phillips, Clerk of the School Board, at kellie@wcs.k12.va.us or (276) 739-3001.
To learn more about the Washington County School Board, click here: https://www.wcs.k12.va.us/page/school-board1