A Wake school board member is resigning. Here’s how to apply for the vacant seat.
.png "Wake County school board member Monika Johnson-Hostler speaks at the Dec. 3, 2024 school board meeting in Cary. N.C. She is resigning her seat after being elected to the North Carolina General Assembly.")
The Wake County school board could fill its upcoming vacancy by early February.
School board member Monika Johnson-Hostler will resign effective Dec. 30 after being elected to a seat in the General Assembly. On Tuesday, the school board tentatively approved a timeline that could have Johnson-Hostler’s successor taking their seat on Feb. 4.
Johnson-Hostler represents District 2, which covers much of Garner and Fuquay-Varina and part of Southeast Raleigh. The other eight board members will fill the seat by voting for one of the applicants for the vacancy.
The new board member will finish Johnson-Hostler’s term, which expires in December 2026.
Johnson-Hostler has served 11 years on board
Johnson-Hostler, 49, is the longest-serving member on the school board. She was first elected in 2013, serving multiple times as chair and vice chair of the board.
“I came on this board to stabilize it so that all children had access to a high-quality education, all educators understood that they were respected and valued and all community members knew that they had a board member at this table who would answer their phone calls, texts, emails and show up in person when needed,” Johnson-Hostler said Tuesday. “I believe if nothing else I delivered on all those three things.”
During her tenure, Johnson-Hostler lobbied for issues such as increased school funding and higher pay for teachers. She also advocated for issues such as adding CROWN Act protections for natural hairstyles for students and school employees.
“Thank you for the CROWN Act that tonight I can wear my hair free,” said school board member Toshiba Rice. “Thank you for all the things that you’ve done.”
Johnson-Hostler is also the longtime executive director of the North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault.
Johnson-Hostler, a Democrat, was elected in November to the state House District 33 seat. Rep. Rosa Gill did not seek reelection.
“I am so thrilled because the children of North Carolina need you in the legislature,” said school board member Lynn Edmonds. “The women of North Carolina need you in the legislature, and sure as well public education needs you in the legislature.”
How to apply for Wake school board vacancy
The official notice for the vacancy will go out on Monday.
Applications must be received by Jan. 6, including submitting proof of residency. Applicants must live in District 2 and be at least age 21. Candidates should submit:
▪ A letter of interest, no more than three pages, outlining the candidate’s background and listing three initiatives that can be implemented in alignment with the school board’s strategic plan.
▪ A resume.
▪ Three letters of recommendation.
▪ Proof of domicile, including proof of voter registration and a current utility bill.
The board added proof of domicile requirements after a candidate picked by the board to fill a vacancy in 2022 withdrew when his eligibility was questioned.
All materials submitted are considered public records and can be emailed to district2vacancy@wcpss.net or mailed or delivered to C/O District 2 Board of Education Vacancy, Wake County Board of Education, Crossroads I, 5625 Dillard Drive, Cary, NC 27518.
Candidates would be interviewed at a specially called meeting on Jan. 14. The vote would likely happen that day. The swearing-in ceremony would be on Feb. 4.
Board members said they may revise the timeline if there are a large number of applicants to interview.
