FRANKLIN—On Monday, Jason Chandler will return to his assistant principal job at Franklin High School after the state pressured Franklin City Public Schools to advertise the S.P. Morton principal job.

On Wednesday, June 11, Chandler was unanimously approved by the board as the new S.P. Morton principal, and he started on June 18.

At its regular meeting on Thursday, the board voted 4-1 to rescind the offer to Chandler after receiving legal advice from the Virginia School Boards Association. Dawna Walton voted nay. Ward 1’s Will Councill elected to abstain due to not being present during the closed session where this was discussed, and Ward 4’s Sherita Ricks-Parker was absent.

The board will open the position up for interviews. Chandler, who is certified to be a principal, including on the elementary level, is able to apply for the position.