The Walker County Board of Education made 11 emergency hires Thursday, a matter of contention for at least one representative of area school employees.

After a called meeting of the school board at which 10 professional positions and one support personnel position were filled as emergency hires, Butch Sargent, the local Uniserve director for the Alabama Education Association, said the board’s move was “100 percent contrary to Alabama law.”

Before the meeting began, Superintendent Vonda Beaty said the emergency hires were being made to fill positions left vacant because of recent transfers.

“The ones who are being hired away from other schools tonight, we’re trying to do emergency hires in their places and we don’t have 14 days to post (the positions),” said Beaty.

Alabama law stipulates that available school positions be posted for at least seven days during the school year and 14 days in the summer.

However, Beaty’s explanation did not satisfy Sargent, whose job duties include acting as an advocate for teachers and support professionals in public schools in Walker County.

Sargent, an outspoken critic of county school officials’ money management, said he expects the school board’s action to be challenged.

“If any of our members were displaced because of this, meaning they were employed last year and were denied the opportunity to apply for a job, we most definitely will be pursuing it,” Sargent said. “We’re looking for ways to save money. I would think the board would be looking for ways to prevent legal issues from arising because we’re wasting a fortune in legal fees.”

Beaty said prior to the start of Thurday’s meeting that the jobs filled on an emergency basis will be posted next year.

Before the start of a called school board meeting held Tuesday, school officials discussed ways the school district can decrease its expenses. Sargent said he is concerned that support personnel will ultimately bear the brunt of the school system’s financial burden, which includes an expectation that the fiscal year will begin with the Walker County school system $1.3 million in debt.

Beaty said Thursday’s called meeting was primarily held to “hire people.” She said the school board may hold more called meetings to fill positions prior to the school board’s next regularly scheduled meeting on Aug. 11.

In all, 28 individuals were hired by the county school board Thursday — seven support personnel and 21 professional personnel.