Trigg County’s Board of Education lost a long-time member Friday morning, when Clara-Beth Hyde turned in her letter of resignation.
In a conversation with Your News Edge, the former Trigg County educator and local businesswoman cited three reasons for the difficult decision — but made it clear that none of this is related to the leadership of Superintendent Dr. Rex Booth and the district’s Director of Curriculum and Instruction Lacey Schrock.
The first reason for stepping away: the graduation of her children.
The second reason: a perpetual storyline involving board member Charlene Sheehan, and a public incident in late March at the West Cadiz Park.
Hyde further noted than an unnamed parent asked for her to “file a grievance” in the issue, and Hyde said she wouldn’t do it.
And, finally, a new family member, as well as her personal businesses, need her attention — outside of the stress from the March situation in question.
Hyde said she is walking away leaving the Trigg County School District “better than she found it when she came on board.” She feels good about that, and is at peace knowing she and the board, together, “have done some good things.”
Hyde further confirmed that Sheehan did not ask her to resign, and instead made the decision herself.
In a written statement, Dr. Booth confirmed Hyde’s resignation, and noted they are “sincerely grateful for her service and dedication to the students, staff, and families of our district.
“Her time on the board reflected a genuine commitment to our schools and community. We deeply appreciate the sacrifices she made and the contributions she offered to support the growth and success of Trigg County Schools.”
According to state law, when a member of a local board of education resigns, passes away, or is removed from office, their seat is officially vacant once the board formally accepts the resignation in an open meeting.
Once a vacancy is declared, the local board has 60 days to appoint a replacement. Before making the appointment, the board must publicly advertise the vacancy for two weeks on its website and in the county’s largest newspaper. Eligible applicants must provide a letter of intent and proof of high school graduation or equivalent.
If the board fails to fill the vacancy within that 60-day window, the Commissioner of Education will step in and make the appointment.
An appointed board member may serve until the next regular election if the remaining term is longer than one year on August 1. If no one files to run in that election, a new vacancy is declared on November 1, and the board must start the appointment process again.
If a candidate is appointed but fails to take the oath of office within 30 days, the position is vacated again, and that person becomes ineligible to serve for two years.
Importantly, write-in candidates cannot fill vacancies if no one officially files to run. Elections only happen when a proper nominating petition is submitted by the deadline.
Finally, the Kentucky Department of Education cannot extend the 60-day deadline, and any concerns over an appointee’s eligibility under state law must be handled by the Attorney General’s office.
