Purcell’s Board of Education had a busy night for its regular May meeting Monday night accepting a board member’s resignation and hiring a new Assistant Superintendent.

At the meeting Monday at the administration building board members accepted the resignation of Holly Baker effective May 19 and the hiring of G. Malachi Blaxton as new Assistant Superintendent to replace the retiring Jerry Swayze.

The board has 60 days from the 19th to appoint a successor for Baker’s seat. That appointee will then be required to run for the office at the next school board election.

Board members approved the flooring tiles in the administration building, accepting the low bid of $28,599 from ATF Commercial Flooring.

The board approved the TSA team’s trip to Nationals in Nashville, TN June 25 through July 2 for two advisors and 19 students.

The board set a special meeting June 13 at 1 p.m. for the sale of $2,335,000 for the general obligation bonds for the building project at the junior high.

They also approved the hiring and district reassignments of the staff for the 2025-26 school year.

At the beginning of the meeting board members were introduced to and recognized the fifth grade Academic Team, Purcell’s first fifth grade team to make the State Meet in history.

The group of Asher Stone, Jerrett Haynes, Ethan Guinn, Bentlee Nicklas, Augustine Williams and Lane Montgomery finished as State Runners-up.