A newly appointed member of the Clarksville-Montgomery County School Board has resigned from her position just hours after being sworn into office. Teresa Crosslin, selected to represent District 3, submitted her resignation on the evening of November 17, citing an unexpected realization of the role's demanding nature.
The sudden departure occurred before Crosslin could attend her first official board meeting, which was scheduled for the following day. Her resignation now reopens the vacancy for the District 3 seat, prompting Montgomery County officials to prepare for a new selection process.
Key Takeaways
- Teresa Crosslin resigned from the Clarksville-Montgomery County School Board on the same day she was sworn in.
- She cited the extensive time commitment as the reason for her decision after attending orientation events.
- The Montgomery County Commission must now restart the process to fill the vacant District 3 seat.
- The selection process is expected to begin again in January.
An Unprecedented Turn of Events
Teresa Crosslin was officially sworn in to her new role on the Clarksville-Montgomery County School Board (CMCSS) on Monday, November 17. However, by that evening, she had formally stepped down. In a brief statement, she confirmed her immediate resignation.
According to CMCSS spokesman Anthony Johnson, the resignation notice did not initially provide a detailed reason. Crosslin was not present at what would have been her inaugural board meeting on Tuesday, November 18.
This development leaves the District 3 seat, previously held by Herbert Nelson who resigned in August, vacant once again. The school board is now operating with a missing representative as it addresses key issues for the district.
The Role of a School Board Member
School board members are public officials elected or appointed to oversee a school district's operations. Their responsibilities are significant and often include setting district policies, approving budgets, hiring and evaluating the superintendent, and representing the community's interests in educational matters. The time commitment involves regular meetings, work sessions, school visits, and reviewing extensive documentation.
The Weight of Responsibility
In a subsequent statement, Crosslin elaborated on her decision, explaining that recent training events illuminated the full scope of the position's responsibilities. She pointed to her attendance at the Tennessee School Board Association Convention and a CMCSS orientation as pivotal moments.
"After attending 4 days of the Tennessee School Board Association Convention and the CMCSS orientation, a hard realization hit me, about how much was involved in accepting this position," Crosslin stated.
She concluded that she would be unable to dedicate the necessary time and energy that the role requires and that the community deserves.
"After careful consideration, I felt I wouldn’t be able to give the necessary commitment to the position of District 3 that it definitely deserves," she explained. Crosslin also expressed gratitude to her supporters throughout the appointment process, calling it an "incredible experience."
The Path to Appointment
Crosslin's appointment was the result of a competitive selection process conducted by the Montgomery County Commission. She was chosen on November 10 from a pool of four applicants seeking to fill the vacancy left by Herbert Nelson.
Crosslin secured the position with 11 of the 19 votes cast by the County Commission, demonstrating a clear majority of support from the appointing body.
The other candidates for the position brought diverse professional backgrounds to the table:
- Darryl D. Anderson: An I.T. business administrative lead for the State of Tennessee.
- Michelle James: A 25-year veteran of the US Army Reserve, now working as a semi-truck driver.
- Kathryn Texidor: The assistant director of student conduct at Belmont University.
Crosslin, a lifelong resident of Clarksville, has a background that includes attending Austin Peay State University and owning a local business, Crosslin Catering. Her resume also noted a position with Mosaic Learning Center in 2023.
Next Steps for District 3
Following the resignation, CMCSS officials promptly notified Montgomery County leadership of the renewed vacancy. The responsibility now falls back on the County Commission to initiate and complete another nomination and appointment process.
The search for a new District 3 representative is not expected to be immediate. According to Johnson, the county will likely begin the process in January. This timeline means the seat will remain empty for several weeks, including through the end of the calendar year.
Until a new member is appointed and sworn in, the residents of District 3 will not have a dedicated representative on the school board, which continues to make decisions affecting thousands of students, teachers, and families across the county.
