(MT. VERNON, IL) – The Board of Education for Mt. Vernon Township High School met Thursday evening in a special meeting. The Board discussed plans to explore the hiring of an interim superintendent while the search for a permanent replacement of the seat vacated by Dr. Michael Smith continues. Smith officially resigned June 30th after a mutual separation agreement was reached in May between the school board and Smith. The search for a new superintendent yielded five finalists from 42 applicants. The position was offered to one finalist, who rejected the District’s offer. The district is aided in the search through a professional services agreement with the Illinois Association of School Boards. Other business at the meeting included approving one year contracts for all administrative employees, the District Title I Plan, and opening an account for the Aspire Scholarship award.