Haywood Community College board of trustees will have at least two new members when it convenes in July.

The Haywood County Board of Education appointed Bethel farmer and agronomist Bill Yarborough to a four-year term on the board. He replaces Neal Ensley, who is rotating off the board. The school board also tapped Bill Barker, a Lake Junaluska area contractor, to fill the remaining year in the term of Michael McConnell.

N.C. Gov. Bev Perdue reappointed Richard Lanning, a Waynesville area contractor to the governing board, and is still considering applicants to replace Lynne Barrett, who resigned with three years left on her term.

In her late February resignation letter, Barrett said she felt she could no longer be an effective board member.

Her letter to the governor questioned decisions being made by the board, and said there were choices being made that were not in the best interest of the college. She wrote of votes taken despite faculty and staff discouraging action until more information was available.

McConnell sent two letters in late March regarding his resignation, one to Haywood County Board of Education Chairman Chuck Francis and another to Peggy Melville and Bob Morris, chairman and vice chairman of the college governing board. Both letters referenced his workload in opening a new law practice that made it difficult to attend board meetings and participate in other college events.

The letter to college leaders noted the Haywood board meets far more frequently than most community college boards in the state.

“I disagree with the idea that more meetings mean we are getting more done or that beating construction issues into the ground over or over again is productive or helpful,” he wrote.

McConnell suggested that time limits be set for discussion during meetings and that board support its chairman when told their time is up.

He also wrote that “endless debate signals a trend toward micro-management, which in the long run will hurt the college.”

A spokesperson with the governor’s office said a replacement for Barrett is being sought.

The Haywood County Commissioners will hold a special meeting later this month to interview two applicants, Dean McMahon, who is the current county appointee on the board, and William Rhodarmer.

Community colleges in North Carolina are governed by 12-member boards, with four appointees each made by the county commissioners, board of education and governor.

Here's the text of the letters of resignation.

Peggy Melville, Chairman

Robert Morris, Vice-Chair

Haywood Community College Board of Trustees

185 Freedlander Or.

Clyde, NC 28721

Dear Chairman Melville and Vice-Chair Morris:

I am writing to tell you that I am tendering my resignation from the Haywood Community College Board of Trustees, effective immediately. I have struggled with this decision for months because I really enjoy being a trustee for the college and hate to give it up.

However, in October 2011, I joined Bill Cannon in starting a new law firm, Cannon Law, PC in Waynesville The time and financial constraints involved in starting a law practice make it too difficult for me to attend the meetings of the Board and to participate in the other events the trustees are expected to participate in. At this time I cannot give the college the attention it deserves, so I should step aside.

I want to thank both of you and the other members of the Board for letting me sit at your table.

Your commitment to the college and the community is great and obvious. I also want to thank Dr. Johnson, her executive staff, and the teachers and other staff at the college for making HCC a great place to learn. They are doing a great job.

Now. I want to offer a couple of observations about the Board that have influenced my decision to resign: {a) I understand that our Board meets more frequently than the vast majority of other community college boards in the state I don't know why. Our challenges aren't any different than theirs. I disagree with the idea that more meetings mean we are getting more done, or that beating construction issues into the ground over and over again is productive or helpful (b) I encourage the Board to set time limits for discussion of issues and for debate by individual members - and to support the chairperson when she or he tells the speaker that their time is up.

As an attorney with many years of experience staffing and providing legal counsei to legislative and execut1ve branch committees, my opinion is that endless debate actually dilutes the quality of the debate and the quality of the decisions made thereafter. (c) Worse than that. endless debate signals a trend toward micro-management, which in the long run will hurt the college.

Dr. Johnson and her executive staff are talented, professional and capable; and I'm sure the Board will choose the next president with care. My advice is that whoever is in place, don't over-manage them. Give them the tools they need and let them do their job.

Thank you.

Michael W. McConnell

Chuck Francis, Chairman

Haywood County School Board

1230 North Main Street

Waynesville, NC 28786

Dear Mr. Francis:

March 28, 2012

I am writing to tell you that I am tendering my resignation from the Haywood Community College Board of Trustees, effective immediately. I have struggled with this decision for months. Being a member of the Board is a highpoint in my career. However, in October 2011, I joined Bill Cannon in starting a new law firm, Cannon Law, PC in Waynesville. The time and the financial constraints involved in starting a law practice make it too difficult for me to regularly attend the meetings of the Board of Trustees and to participate in other events for the trustees. In short, at this time, I cannot give the college the attention it deserves, so I should step aside.

I want to thank the Haywood County School Board for appointing me to the Board of Trustees and for letting me serve. I also want to thank Chairman Peggy Melville and Vicechair Bob Morris, and the other trustees, for their friendship and guidance, and for letting me share the honor and responsibility of making Haywood Community College a shining star.

I also want to thank Dr. Rose Johnson, her executive staff, and the teachers and other staff at the college for working so hard to make HCC a great place to learn. These people are talented, professional and capable. I encourage you to support them and the college strongly and enthusiastically.

Sincerely yours,

Michael McConnell

Office of the Governor

Boards and Commissions

20301 Mail Service Center

Raleigh, NC 27699-0301

Dear Governor Perdue:

I am writing to inform you of my decision to resign from the Haywood Community
College Board of Trustees. effective immediately. There have been several
instances where board members have brought up topics in the full Board
Meeting, with press present, that had not been researched nor had been through
committee. It is my belief that choices are being made that are not in the best
interest of Haywood Community College. These votes were taken despite faculty
and staff discouraging action until we had more information. I no longer feel that
I can be an effective Board Member. It is for these reasons that I am resigning.
Thank you for the honor of having been appointed to this position. Haywood
Community College is an integral part of our community. Faculty and staff have
done an amazing job in difficult economic times. If you have questions, please
call me at 828-454-5253.
Sincerely,
Lynne Barrett