CHATSWORTH, Ga. — The members of the Murray County Board of Education will consider four people Thursday night to fill the seat representing Ramhurst (District 1) that came open recently with the death of Frank Adams, and are expected to select one for the position until a special election is held in March.

Superintendent Eric McFee said business owner Darryl Davis, retired educators Evelyn Duncan and Kay England, and firefighter Danny Flood applied for the position. Adams passed away on Oct. 30 after a battle with lung cancer.

One of the four is expected to be appointed to the board Thursday night by the six members during a special called meeting at 6 at the central office. A special election will then be held on March 20 to fill the position until the end of the term. That election will be a nonpartisan contest. If necessary, a runoff would be held in April.

The four will have an opportunity to present themselves before the board members at the meeting. Members of the public will be allowed to address the board as well. McFee said the deliberations and decision of the board on selecting the new member will be held in the open meeting.

“We feel like we got four very good candidates in what was really a beg, borrow and plead situation for us having to fill the opening so quickly under state law,” McFee said. “I’ve already given the board the names to look over. When we do public comments we will have each applicant stand up and tell about themselves and the board will discuss it in an open session and will come up with a selection and place them on the board.”

Following the board meeting, the members will have a work session in preparation for Monday’s scheduled board meeting. McFee said the newly selected board member will be encouraged to attend the work session, but can’t make any official comment on board business until the person is sworn in by Probate Judge John Waters. McFee said he expects the newest member to be sworn in either Friday or Monday in order to be able to participate and vote in Monday’s meeting.

“We were a little concerned because (the Ramhurst district) has been a hard one to fill in the past,” McFee said. “When these people stepped forward, we were pleasantly surprised. These are all quality people and are known to the area, and to have to do this so quickly after Frank’s death is kind of heartbreaking. But we are pleased with the people who stepped forward. All of them seem to have a truly altruistic purpose to help the students of our community.”