CELINA-Diana Monroe will continue as Clay County’s director of schools, after an official vote was taken here at the November school board meeting.

The 30-year veteran educator announced her plans to retire last month, and the local school system began the application process to hire her replacement at that time.

Since then, Monroe reconsidered and provided a letter stating so to board members at their most recent meeting, where a review of new applicants for the position was scheduled to be completed.

“Our intent was to review the applications tonight, and depending on how many were received, we would have narrowed that list down to interview,” board chairman Benji Bailey said, according to a video of the Thursday, November 14 meeting posted on the Clay County Schools CCBE YouTube page.  “With Ms. Monroe’s letter, also if you wanted to move forward with her existing contract, we could do that as well.

“I was very pleased we had six applications of very qualified individuals,” Bailey continued.  “We are thankful for that and are also pleased Ms. Monroe reconsidered as well, so we will leave that to the board at this point.”

Board member Nathan Sherrell followed Bailey’s statement with an official motion to retain Monroe.

“Due Ms. Monroe’s letter, I would like to make a motion to forgo the application process and continue with Ms. Monroe for her current contract,” he said.

The motion was seconded by board member Nick Melton, and it passed unanimously.

Bailey explained Monroe’s current contract expires June 30, 2027.

“I just want to thank you all very much for allowing me to finish the contract out,” Monroe said later in the meeting.  “I really appreciate it and will work very hard and do the best we can do with every decision.

“We’ve had a good year so far and I thank you for all of your support.”

Monroe has served as the director since January 1, 2022, when she was selected by the board to succeed Matt Eldridge upon his retirement.

For the complete video of the meeting, visit www.youtube.com/@claycountyschoolsccbe6513.