Wilco’s new-look school board has rocky first few meetings

The agenda for the Wilkinson County School Board’s first regular meeting of the year appeared fairly routine and uneventful.

Then, though, the meeting actually started, and it was far from routine and uneventful.

David Hadarits, sworn in as school board Chairman several weeks ago, immediately began asking questions and raising various concerns. With Hadarits front-and-center, the school board struggled to “approve the agenda,” typically a formality at the beginning of every meeting.

Hadarits took issue with numerous items, including the proposed millage rate. The tension in the room continued throughout the meeting and eventually wrapped up.

The school board then held a “called meeting” three days later, which was a carryover form the earlier meeting. The only item on the agenda was a “request for approval to accept (renew) the proposal presented by Solomon, Deaton & Buice for the following: Education Insurance for Wilkinson County Schools for $398,845 with policy terms of January 15, 2025–January 15, 2026.”

Hadarits again had a line of questioning for Superintendent Angela James.

“Did we seek bids for a better price or better coverage?” Hadarits said. “When does our current policy run out? Do we currently have coverage?”

After another minute of questions and concerns, Leigh Scott, the school board member from District 1, became frustrated with Hadarits.

“Chairman Hadarits, if you’re not going to do your job and make a motion, I’m going to ask the vice chair to put the motion out,” she said. “Either do your job and make the motion, or I’m going to ask the vice chair to do it.”

“Are you now?” Hadarits replied.

“Yes, subject to talking with the attorney. Yes,” Scott said. “You’re not doing your job, David.”

Scott then told Hadarits that board members previously discussed the insurance policy back in December. After further comments and concerns from Hadarits, Scott ultimately asked if Vice Chair Kimberly Watkins would make a motion to approve the agenda item, even though that’s typically the job of the Chair. 

After Watkins made the motion, Hadarits said “the member is out of order,” while the other school board members voted 4-0 to approve the liability insurance renewal.

“I’ll see y’all in court,” Hadarits said, just as the meeting adjourned.

The Times Journal Post later reached out to Hadarits for comment.

“I’ve spoken with the superintendent about adopting zero-based budgeting. Unlike traditional budgeting, which simply carries over the previous year’s expenses, this approach requires every cost to be justified from scratch,” he said. “While it takes more effort, I believe it will help us cut unnecessary spending and ensure resources are directed toward supporting our personnel and improving student outcomes.”