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A vote to consider extending or renewing the contract of Escambia County School Superintendent Michel McClung was taken at Thursday’s meeting of the Board of Education.

In a 4-to-3 vote, members elected not to renew the contract. Those voting for the contract extension/renewal were Danny Benjamin – District 2, Mike Edwards – District 3 and Coleman Wallace – District 7. Those voting not to renew were Cindy Jackson – District 4, Loumeek White – District 5, Sherry Digmon – District 6 and Kevin Hoomes – District 1.

The decision of the board will mean that McClung will remain in the position until her contract expires May 2024.

“It has been my privilege to serve,” McClung said following the decision. “I am proud of the work collectively that we’ve done. I was raised to leave a place better than I found it. I will continue to work diligently through the end of my contract to ensure that we leave it in a good place.”

Four residents spoke on behalf of McClung in an effort to encourage board members to approve the contract renewal. Those who spoke included Atmore Businesswoman Dale Ash, Pastor Hawthorne of Greater Mt. Triumph Baptist Church in Atmore, Escambia County District Attorney Steve Billy and former Mayor of Flomaton, Dewey Bondurant. All four spoke in glowing recognition of McClung and her work as superintendent for the county school system.