DOBSON — Surry County’s board of education held a somber meeting Monday night as it was the first since board member Jeff Hall died in late December.

The first part of the meeting was devoted to giving board members and administrators the opportunity to remember Hall for his service. Each board member and superintendent spoke of Hall and what they remembered most about him.

“Jeff probably was the greatest example of being an advocate for everybody,” said Michele Hunter, board member.

“He was an advocate for the children in the school system as well as the personnel and everyone. I personally am going to miss his expertise,” said Sue Stone, board member.

Those present spoke of Hall and how his presence and expertise on the board will be missed. Dr. Ashley Hinson, superintendent, said that he believed the school system has yet to realize how much he will be missed and how big of a hole will have to be filled.

“Just his presence is missed and felt. We not only lost a fellow board member, we lost a friend,” said Brian Gates, board vice chair.

“If you were his friend, you were his friend forever,” said Earlie Coe, board chair. “We will go on for sure, but he will be sorely missed.”

Coe also read a resolution of respect regarding Hall into the meeting’s minutes, a resolution that will be signed by every board member and the superintendent to be presented to each member of his family.

Because Hall was in the middle of his term on the board, which runs through May 2012, board members must appoint someone to fill his seat until a May 2010 election. At that time, the seat will be up for election with the winner taking on the post from July 2010 through May 2012, the original end of the term.

The application process for the interim seat opens today and will remain so until 4 p.m. on Jan. 19. The process is open to anyone interested in the position who resides in the Bryan or Franklin townships. Applications will be reviewed by the board of education at the end of January with an interim person appointed in time for the Feb. 1 board meeting.

“All we’re doing is appointing someone to hold that position until July. I would rather we appoint them as soon as possible to avoid any conflict with the election,” said Hunter.

Details about applying for the position, including what information must be included on the application, can be found in the Wednesday or Thursday Legals section of The Mount Airy News which is located in the classified ads pages.

The board also voted to name the ball field at Mountain Park Elementary school in honor of Hall. More information about a scholarship or endowment at Surry Community College in his name will be available at the February meeting. The scholarship would be available to a Surry County student entering an agriculture, law enforcement or construction technology program at the college to reflect Hall’s interests.

The board also made a motion that Hall’s name be included on the dedication plaques for the two new schools as a member of the board of education since he played an integral role in get the schools built.