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Gloucester County School Board sets March 7 deadline and public posting for at-large vacancy
Summary
The Gloucester County School Board voted to accept applications for the at-large board vacancy with a March 7 deadline and to post applicants’ names and resumes seven days before the board’s appointment on March 18.
The Gloucester County School Board voted to advertise and accept applications for the vacant at-large seat, setting a March 7 deadline and requiring that candidates’ names and resumes be posted publicly seven days before the board makes an interim appointment.
The board’s motion, made by Ms. Solman and seconded by Mr. Drew, calls for interested individuals to submit a resume and letter of intent by March 7 at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. The board agreed the names of applicants will be announced at the regular March 11 meeting and the board will not take formal action on an appointment until March 18, after the seven-day public review period elapses.
The vote followed public comments urging transparency in the appointment process. Larry Cohen, identifying himself as a York District resident, urged the board to follow the Code of Virginia and to make candidate materials available before appointment. “Section 24.2 dash 2 2 8 a,” Cohen said during public comment, adding that the statute gives the board 45 days to fill a vacancy and requires that candidates’ names and resumes be made public at least seven days before an appointment.
Howard Mowery, also a resident, said past practice included open forums for applicants and recommended the board return to that practice so citizens could ask candidates questions.
Board members debated timing and scope. Several members said they want the public to have ample opportunity to review candidates; one board member noted the interim appointee will serve for roughly nine months and could seek election, calling the appointment a potential “trial run.” The board clarified that candidates must be registered voters and residents of Gloucester County and that resumes submitted after the 4:30 p.m. deadline will not be considered.
Votes at a glance: the board approved the vacancy-advertising motion (mover: Ms. Solman; seconder: Mr. Drew; outcome: passed), with the timeline and public-posting details described above. During the same meeting the board also approved other actions taken after a closed session, including approval of personnel items and authorization for the superintendent to modify a written decision in case 2025-S1; those measures were approved by board vote during the reconvened open session.
The board clerk will receive application materials and post them as required; the board plans to announce the pool of applicants at the March 11 meeting and to announce an interim appointment on March 18.
