resignation

By Kevin Pearcey

The Butler County Board of Education has concluded interviews with potential board replacement candidates and will make its selection at its next board meeting on Thursday night.

Vonciel Bedgood - one of four candidates for the spot vacated by Joanne Peak in May - interviewed with the board during a special called meeting on Thursday. Bedgood was unable to attend the initial interview session, held earlier in June. The board will choose from a pool of applicants including Bedgood, Greenville businessman Johnny Lee, former district judge Barry Branum, and accountant Greg Griffin. Another candidate - Aubrey Alan Odom - has been eliminated from consideration because he does not actually live in District 5, said Superintendent Mike Looney.

In other business on Thursday, the board accepted the resignation of Bryant Vincent, former Greenville High School head coach/athletic director, who announced his intentions to take the same position at Spanish Fort High School in Baldwin County next year. The board also accepted the resignations of Earnest Hill, ISSP teacher at GHS and Vincent's defensive coordinator, Matthew Wells, history teacher at GHS and offensive coordinator last season, and Chase Smith, driver's education instructor and running backs coach for the Tigers. All three men will join Vincent at Spanish Fort.

Superintendent Mike Looney said the school system's search for Vincent's replacement is moving quickly.

&#8220The coaching search is moving forward at full throttle. I have been presently surprised at the quality of candidates,” said Looney. &#8220It speaks well of our city and system that so many high caliber candidates are interested in joining our community. Dr. Murphy has done a super job in managing this task and informs me a recommendation to my office is imminent.”