The Rowan-Salisbury Board of Education will hold a called meeting Thursday to open bids for the school board attorney opening.

The board’s former attorney, Don Sayers, and his firm have represented schools in Rowan County for more than 50 years.

In that time, according to Chairman Josh Wagner, the board hasn’t put that service out to bid.

“It was time to see what was out there,” he said, adding that the district didn’t even have a signed agreement with Sayers and his firm.

The board will narrow down the field of applicants for the board attorney position from 12 to four or five. Those remaining will advance to the interview process.

Wagner said the board hopes to hire a new attorney before the beginning of the school year.

“Everything will be done in open session,” Wagner said, adding that because a board attorney simply offers a service and isn’t an employee of the board, hiring an attorney is not protected by executive session.

The board will also receive an update on the district’s funding agreement with the county.

“We’re just going to talk about a couple different options about changing agreement wording,” Wagner said.

The board will meet Thursday at 2:00 p.m. in the Long Street Board Room, 110 Long St. in East Spencer.