Fired Former Teacher, Coach Eyes School Board Seat

A man who two years ago had his firing upheld by the Cannon County Board of Education is now seeking to become a member of that group.

Michael L. Mayfield, a long-time teacher and coach who was dismissed in 2008 by former Director of Schools Edward Diden, picked up petition papers Friday from the Cannon County Election Office to make a bid to qualify for the Fifth District seat on the school board.

Mayfield appealed his firing by Diden to the school board, but the decision to dismiss him was upheld by the board, 4-1, in September 2008. Mayfield filed a lawsuit against Diden and the board, but Chancellor Robert Corlew ruled against him and in favor of Diden and the board in January of 2009.

Four reasons where given by Diden as his reason for dismissing Mayfield, including "conduct unbecoming a member of the teach profession."

The charges against Mayfield which led to his firing occurred between 2004 and 2008.

Mayfield, if he qualifies, will be seeking the seat currently held by Roy Parker, who announced last week that he will not be seeking re-election in the General Election scheduled for August 5.

Mayfield is the only person to express an interest in the seat to date.

UPDATE: Charley Heath picked qualifying papers to enter the Fifth District School Board race Tuesday.

The Second District school board seat is also up for election this year. In that race, incumbent Chris Blackburn and John Basinger are running.

The deadline to qualify to be on the ballot for the General Election is this Thursday, April 1, at noon.

Persons interested in running for any county seat will still have until 50 days prior to the election to run as a write-in candidate. They will need to go through the same procedures to qualify, including being a resident of Cannon County, living in the district or zone of the seat for which they are running if it is for county commission, school board or road commissioner, and obtaining at least 25 signatures of registered voters of the district.

In other election news, two prospective candidates have decided to drop out of the races for county commission and circuit court clerk.

James Adkins has decided to no longer run for a Second District Commissioner seat, while Donnie Morris has decided not to run for circuit court clerk.