BELOIT — The West Branch school board attempted to hold an emergency meeting Wednesday night to discuss employment of a public official, but decided not to based on legal advice.

The board on Wednesday afternoon issued an emergency meeting notice for 8 p.m. that night. The stated purpose was to discuss employment of a public official in executive session, with action to follow possible. However, the board canceled the meeting shortly before 7 p.m., stating that legal counsel advised that the prerequisite for an emergency meeting had not been established.

The board will determine whether to schedule a special meeting soon.

The meeting notice did not specify which official the board was going to discuss, but the district told girls basketball head coach Walt DeShields that he would not be retained Monday.