There’s a vacancy on the Wake school board. Here’s how the seat will be filled
The Wake County school board is now taking applications to fill the Southeast Raleigh seat vacated by Keith Sutton.
Sutton resigned on Dec. 31 to focus on his new job as superintendent of Warren County Public Schools. The school board could fill the position next week with the new board member finishing Sutton’s term, which runs through November.
Sutton represented District 4, which includes much of Southeast Raleigh and part of Knightdale. He had been on the board since 2009.
Applicants will be called in to be publicly interviewed by the school board at a special meeting on Jan. 14 The vote and discussion for filling the vacancy is also required to take place in open session.
Board member Karen Carter questioned having the interviews and vote on the same day. But board member Jim Martin said doing it all in one day would avoid having any behind-the-scenes lobbying.
Will there be applicants?
Concerns were raised Tuesday about whether they’d get enough applicants to fill the position. For instance, Chris Heagarty was the only applicant when he was picked in 2018 to replace the late Kathy Hartenstine.
Board member Christine Kushner said they can require the applicant to get a majority vote. If that doesn’t happen, she said they can reopen the application process.
The new school board member will be one of nine people charged with governing North Carolina’s largest school system as it tries to deal with the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on students.
How to apply for vacancy
Applications must be received by 5 p.m. Jan. 12. Applicants must live in District 4 and be eligible to vote. Candidates should submit:
▪ A letter of interest, no more than five pages, outlining the candidate’s background and listing three strategies they want included in the school board’s next strategic plan.
▪ A resume.
▪ Three letters of recommendation.
All materials submitted are considered public records and can be emailed to district4vacancy@wcpss.net or mailed or delivered to C/O District 4 Board of Education Vacancy, Wake County Board of Education, Crossroads I, 5625 Dillard Drive, Cary, NC 27518.
This story was originally published January 4, 2022 at 6:36 PM.
