Dylan Busby publisher@jasperconews.com Jasper County News KIRBYVILLE — The Kirbyville Consolidated Independent School District Board of Trustees unanimously approved a voluntary retirement and transition agreement for Superintendent Stephen Edwards and appointed Kristi Gore as interim superintendent during a specially called meeting Wednesday, Oct. 28. The decisions followed more than three hours in extensive executive session, during which trustees discussed Edwards’ employment contract, retirement, potential reassignment of duties and the appointment of an interim superintendent. Edwards recently announced plans to retire but has not publicly provided a reason for his decision. After returning to open session, Board President Gary Fairchild called for action on the superintendent’s retirement agreement. Trustee Jason Loper moved to approve the voluntary retirement, transition and release agreement, authorize Edwards’ reassignment to transitional duties as determined by the board, amend his employment contract and authorize Fairchild to execute the necessary documents. Trustee Tyler Downs seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. Specific terms of Edwards’ agreement, including his official retirement date and any financial provisions, were not disclosed during the public portion of the meeting. Trustees then unanimously approved Gore’s appointment as interim superintendent, effective Monday, Nov. 2. Downs made the motion to appoint Gore under compensation and employment terms discussed in executive session and authorize Fairchild to execute the interim agreement. Loper seconded the motion. The appointment marks Gore’s second time serving as interim superintendent of Kirbyville CISD. She previously assumed the position in September 2021 following the voluntary resignation of Superintendent Georgia Sayers. During a specially called meeting Sept. 6, 2021, trustees accepted Sayers’ resignation and approved a mutual cooperation agreement following an executive session lasting more than an hour. Gore, then principal of Kirbyville Elementary School, was selected to temporarily lead the district. A longtime Kirbyville educator, Gore began her career teaching first grade, spending 17 years in the classroom before serving three years as the elementary school’s curriculum facilitator. In 2017, she succeeded Beverly Hall as principal of Kirbyville Elementary School. Her career in the district spans more than two decades, including classroom instruction, curriculum development and campus administration. With Gore assuming interim leadership Nov. 2, Kirbyville CISD begins another administrative transition while trustees address the district’s long-term superintendent position. The board did not publicly announce a timeline for selecting a permanent superintendent during Wednesday’s meeting.