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Traquan Gregory has been a 911 operator, an emergency medical technician and a sheriff’s deputy. Now you can add Buckingham school board member to that list. The Buckingham County resident was chosen to fill a vacant seat on the board in a 4-2 vote taken Friday, Feb. 14. 

After a resignation that took effect Jan. 1, the District 1 seat on the school board was vacant. Two candidates, Gregory and former 16-year school board member David Christian filed letters of interest to fill the seat. The remaining school board members took two days, over Feb. 5 and again before the Feb. 14 vote, to interview candidates, before coming to a majority decision. 

“This was a two-day deliberation between Mr. Christian and Mr. Gregory,” Buckingham School Board Vice Chair Joe Snoddy said. “We as a board found it a difficult process between these two sessions. We would recommend both candidates, regardless of the outcome, to run in November for the seat. We want the people to be heard, their recommendation to be heard.”  

Friday’s decision is only for the rest of the current year, appointing someone as an interim representative for District 1. This race will go on the November ballot. In order to be considered for the interim role, a candidate had to live in District 1 and write a statement of interest, explaining why they wanted to role. They also had to go out and get at least 25 signatures from registered voters in District 1 before being considered. 

“Both candidates, they were excellent, they were wonderful,” Buckingham School Board Chairman Joii Goodman said, thanking each for their interest before the vote was called. 

The 4-2 vote included Theresa Bryant, Goodman, Pamela Morris and Snoddy in support of appointing Gregory to the position. Maynard Ritchie and William Jamerson voted against it. 

Empty seat on the Buckingham school board 

Friday’s decision fills a seat left vacant since the beginning of this year. Back in October, board member Jennifer Spessard announced she was resigning from her District 1 seat as of Jan. 1, 2025. After a recent health scare, her family had been urging her to cut back on her work and that meant giving up her seat.