Following the death of District Four representative Russell “Pete” Gowin, the Buckingham County School Board is seeking an appointee to serve until next year’s general election.

According to Buckingham Schools Superintendent Cecil Snead, “The board’s responsibility is appoint a person to the seat of the vacancy within a 45-day timeframe. The appointed person would hold the seat until the next election.” 

Snead said the appointed person would have the option to run for the seat at that time.

According to a vacancy notice from the Buckingham School Board, all applicants must live in District 4 (Maysville).

“Although the appointee will serve until the next general elections on November 8, 2016, the appointee may choose to run for the position on the School Board at that time, and if elected would serve the remainder of the unexpired term for District 4,” said the notice. The term will expire Dec. 31, 2019.

Gowin died Nov. 13 after a seven-month battle with pancreatic cancer.

“I’m going to miss him immensely,” said Sherry Ragland, the board’s vice chairman, adding that Gowin offered a wealth of knowledge about athletics and administration.

Prior to being a member of the school board, Gowin served as athletic director and administrative assistant at Buckingham High School. He also was a beloved football coach at the school for many years.

“We agreed to disagree,” Ragland said of her late colleague, but they were always able to “turn the other cheek” at the end of the day.

The vacancy notice said interested persons must submit a letter of interest by 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 8.

A public hearing will be held during a school board meeting at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9, at the Buckingham CTE building allowing public comment on the nominees. The board will hold a special meeting at 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 21, to appoint Gowin’s successor.

Letters of interest may be sent to Ed Wise, school board chairman, 15595 W. James Anderson Highway, Buckingham, VA 23921.