City of Brookhaven votes to appoint a new School Board member; previous selection threatens suit

Published 11:54 am Friday, February 6, 2026

The Brookhaven Board of Aldermen has voted to appoint a new member to the Brookhaven Public School Board, and the previous selected appointee has threatened to file a lawsuit against the City.

John Allen is set to assume the role on April 1, replacing current board secretary Patrick Brown. Brown is now technical director for the City, and his term with the school board will expire March 31.

Brookhaven attorney Patrick Beasley had been appointed by the aldermen to the School Board at the last regular meeting in January. Now Beasley has filed suit, saying “Mr. Allen’s purported appointment is unlawful under applicable Mississippi law.”

Mayor Larry Jointer recommended Allen to the board at the beginning of the Feb. 3 aldermen meeting. Ward 2 Alderman Shannon Moore made a motion to appoint him, and Ward 5 Alderman Fletcher Grice provided a second.

Prior to the vote, Ward 3 Alderwoman Jennifer Howard-Tate said that — although she believed Allen to be an “excellent choice” — she was concerned that her ward would be over-represented on the school board if Allen were appointed, because another member also lived within that area.

Moore said that the board appointments were not representative of any wards individually, but of the city as a whole. Recommendations from school Superintendent Dr. Ron Henderson weighed heavily in the decision, he said.

At the second regular January meeting of the aldermen, Beasley had been presented and approved as the new School Board appointee. However, Board Attorney Bobby Moak said upon review of state statutes, that vote was not valid because the law requires it must take place at the first regular meeting of February.

Ward 6 Alderman Andre’ Spiller asked to speak prior to the vote, as well, reading a statement that stressed the appointment was to come from the aldermen, not the mayor, and an extensive bio for Beasley.

“He is an ideal candidate for the School Board due to his background … and experience,” Spiller said. “But you do what you want to do, say what you want to say.”

With no further discussion, a vote was taken and Allen was approved by a vote of 5-1-1. Spiller voted no. Howard-Tate abstained from the vote, and the other aldermen voted in favor of the appointment.

Opposition

On Friday, Feb. 6, Beasley hand delivered a letter to Mayor Jointer notifying the City of the attorney’s intent to file suit if certain steps were not taken.

In a public statement on social media, Beasley said his prior appointment and qualifications made him the better choice as a school trustee.

“At the February 3 meeting, after approving the January minutes, Mayor Jointer stated there had been an ‘oversight’ at the last meeting. No motion was made to reconsider, rescind, or amend the prior vote. Despite that, a new simple‑majority vote was taken to appoint another individual to the same upcoming five‑year term. Under Mississippi law and the City’s own procedures, you cannot simply ignore a duly adopted and approved action without following the proper steps to change it,” Beasley said.

“Because of these concerns, … I personally delivered a letter to Mayor Jointer providing formal notice of my position. In that letter, I explained that if I did not receive written assurances that the City would not attempt to replace me without following proper procedures and the applicable law, I would seek relief in court,” Beasley wrote. “I am sharing that letter so that the citizens of Brookhaven can see exactly what I wrote and why. This is not about a title for me. I have had my fair share of those If I had been replaced by someone more qualified or better suited to serve, I would have accepted that. My concern is that our local government follow the law, honor its own votes and minutes, and act with transparency rather than on the basis of personal relationships or preferences.”

Beasley’s letter reads, in part:

“Notice of Legal Challenge and Intent to Seek Emergency Injunctive Relief Regarding the Purported Appointment of John E. Allen to the Brookhaven School District Board …

“It is my position that Mr. Allen’s purported appointment is unlawful under applicable Mississippi law, including the statutes governing the appointment, qualifications, and tenure of members of the Board … I intend to file in the Chancery Court … a complaint challenging the legality of Mr. Allen’s appointment, together with an emergency motion for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction [to] prevent the City and its officials from administering an oath of office to Mr. Allen as a Board member, from seating or recognizing Mr. Allen as a Board member, and from permitting Mr. Allen to … act in any capacity as a Board member, pending the Court’s resolution of the legality of his appointment …

“I respectfully request that the City voluntarily refrain from swearing in, seating, or recognizing Mr. Allen as a member of the Board until the chancery court has an opportunity to address the legality of his appointment.”

Beasley gave the City until 3 p.m. Monday, Feb. 9, to provide a written response providing assurances that the appointment would not be acted upon until a court decision had been rendered.

City Board Attorney Bobby Moak said the City would take the proper steps to address the matter.

Spiller said he believes an examination of Mississippi law and Supreme Court precedents will clarify the issues at question, and Beasley’s January appointment will stand.