In a split decision, members of the Carter County Commission voted to appoint retired educator Creola Miller to fill a vacancy on the Carter County Board of Education during Monday evening’s Commission meeting.

Miller will complete the unexpired term of former BOE member Steve Hyder, who represented the county’s 7th District, which includes the Gap Creek and West Side precincts. Hyder resigned from his position on the Board after moving out of the district he represented. Hyder also withdrew from his re-election bid in the upcoming Carter County General Election on August 2.

Hyder’s resignation prompted the Commission to appoint a replacement to finish out his term of office that will end on August 30.

Miller was one of two individuals to apply for the appointment to the Commission. The other applicant was Josh Hubbard.

During Monday’s meeting, Commission Chairman Dr. Robert Acuff opened the floor for nominations to the Board of Education 7th District seat. Commissioner Brad Johnson nominated Miller, while Commissioner Timothy Holdren nominated Hubbard.

Following the nomination, Miller and Hubbard were each allowed to address the Commission to introduce themselves and also answered questions from the commissioners.

Hubbard, a Carter County native and a graduate of Happy Valley High School, currently works as a firefighter with the Elizabethton Fire Department. He also owns his own farming business where he manages more than 30 head of cattle.

“This is just another way I see that I can give back to my community,” Hubbard said. “Our job on the School Board is to educate our children and get them ready for their next step in life.”

Miller is a retired educator with more than 45 years experience in the field of education. During her career, she served as a teacher, principal, and administrative supervisor with the Carter County School System. Part of Miller’s work with the department included the creation of Pre-K programs at several schools and obtaining grant funds for those programs.

“I feel I have the qualifications and I have the experience to be a good Board member,” Miller said. “I really care about the quality of the education our children receive. I’ve been retired for two years, but I still have so much to give, and I would like to give that to the Carter County School Board.”

After the question and answer session, members of the Commission voted 13-10 to appoint Miller to fill the vacancy on the Board of Education.

Commissioners Acuff, Holdren, Buford Peters, Al Meehan, Ronnie Trivett, Danny Ward, Randall Jenkins, Ray Lyons, Sonja Culler, and Cody McQueen voted for Hubbard. Commissioners Johnson, Willie Campbell, Nancy Brown, Mike Hill, Charles VonCannon, L.C. Tester, Isaiah Grindstaff, Ross Garland, Bobbie Gouge-Dietz, John Lewis, Scott Simerly, Robert Carroll, and Kelly Collins voted for Miller.

Miller will serve as the 7th District representative on the Board of Education until August 30. The 7th District seat is up for election in the August 2 General Election. Both Miller and Hubbard have qualified as candidates in that election.