The Lincoln County Board of Education conducted routine businessduring Monday night’s meeting, but welcomed a special guest,Superintendent-elect Terry Brister.

“I feel like it’s important that he prepare himself to besuperintendent in January, and we’ve invited him to attend themeetings,” said Superintendent Perry Miller.

Brister’s influence is more valuable than normal now that hewill have to make decisions that lead the district for at least thenext four years, Miller said.

“We’re going to solicit his input between now and when he takesoffice, because he is the one who will have to handle the issuesafter December,” the superintendent said.

Brister said he intends to take the board’s offer and attend allthe meetings.

He said he was pleased to have the opportunity to work moredirectly with the board.

“There was a lot of camaraderie in here,” he said. “I think thiswill be a great group to work with and for.”

Brister has attended many board meetings during his career, buthe said as the incoming superintendent his perspective has changedslightly. Instead of concerning himself mainly with issues relatedto Loyd Star Attendance Center, where he served as principal, hepaid more attention to some of the routine topics, such as districtfinances and personnel.

“I was impressed at the rate and speed they did things and theway they worked together to get things done in the district thatthey don’t get credit for,” Brister said.

He said he was impressed by the questions board members askedabout personnel, finances, administrative duties, and studentmatters, such as transfers and child nutrition.

“They showed a great understanding of the system,” he said.