Search underway for new board member
Published 11:15 pm Thursday, September 13, 2018
Members of the Prince Edward County School Board announced Sept. 5 that General Jenkins, the Lockett District representative for the school board, resigned due to a family illness.
General Jenkins
Jenkins was appointed to the school board September 2017.
The Lockett District seat is on the ballot for the upcoming election in November.
Jenkins was contacted by The Herald for comment, but was not available before presstime.
Prince Edward County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Barbara Johnson said a timeline for the plan would need to be finalized.
When asked by Farmville District School Board Member Dr. Lawrence Varner whether the hearing could take place during the school board meeting Sept. 19, Johnson said it was a possibility that would need to be confirmed with the school board’s attorney.
Former Lockett District Representative Dr. Chapman Hood Frazier announced his resignation in August 2017, citing health concerns and a position as professor in residence for James Madison University at Prince Edward County High School.
Board Chairman Beulah Womack said the school board will accept resumes and letters from potential applicants.
“We miss him,” Womack said about Jenkins. “He was a great board member, I thought. Very nice, very learned and astute.”
Johnson and Womack said the board has approximately 10 days from Wednesday to advertise and hold a public hearing for a new school board member and 45 days to fill the vacancy. Because Jenkins’ name is on the ballot for November, board members said if Jenkins wins and he chooses to not accept the position, his successor would continue in his place until the next election.
There is no other person on the ballot for the Lockett District School Board seat.
When asked by Buffalo District School Board Member Lucy Carson how the process for those interested in the Lockett District seat would take place, Womack said applicants would need to send resumes. The school board then interviews the candidates, who then attend the public hearing.
The board member to succeed Jenkins would need to be appointed by the school board 10 days before Election Day.
