During Thursday’s South Plains College (SPC) Board of Regents meeting, it was decided to fill the vacancy spot within the group through the appointment process.
The board deliberated the path to choose to fill the opening.
SPC President Dr. Robin Satterwhite explained that the two options open to the board are through appointment or election.
Satterwhite explained that if the election process was chosen, the group would have to wait for the 2025 election in May.
As a result, the elected individual would only serve a one-year term as that would be what was remaining of term at that point in time.
Additionally, following that one-year term, the individual would have to go through the election process once more and be elected for a full three-year term.
Satterwhite provided the alternative option which would allow the appointed individual on the board to serve without having to wait until the May 2025 election and would give the individual a little less than twoyears to serve before the term expires and the election for the position begins.
Regent Chris Edens provided his thoughts which centered around a highly contested race through the election process when he was elected onto the board.
He explained he was in favor of the appointment process as having an individual go through election and then have to go through the process again so quickly would be a tall task.
He shared that he felt the same approach would be appropriate given what he went through during his own experience.
Regent Ronnie Alexander shared that he would suggest the appointment process. With no candidates in mind at the time, Alexander shared that he would like to see some potential candidates from within the district that do not reside within the City of Levelland.
Ellis shared his sentiments with the group before the vote wanting to give the proper opportunity for anyone within the district to vie for the open positions.
Regent Joe Tubb felt that appointment was a reasonable option due to the limited time the individual would serve on the board.
Tubb explained that if the community was not pleased with the appointment, come election time during the expired term, the decision could be sorted out then.
The board elected to go with the appointment process and if there were no applicants, they would shift to the election process given there is an adequate amount of time to allow both processes if necessary. The decision was a 4-1 vote with Regent Richard Ellis being for the election process outright.
The board is now accepting letters of interest for the position until October 3 at 4 p.m. Those letters can be sent to the Executive Director of Administrative Services, Nick Castillo. Individuals can send their letters to ncastillo@southplainscollege.edu. If more information is needed, the number to contact is 806.716.2246.