Craven County Board elects Richard L. Stout Jr. as interim superintendent; closed-session motion fails

The Craven County Board of Education voted to appoint Richard L. Stout Jr. as interim superintendent and administered his oath of office at a special called meeting, while a separate motion to go into closed session failed on a 5-2 roll call.

The board voted to approve an "Interim Superintendent Contract" dated with the day of the meeting and directed the board chair to execute the contract. The motion carried on a roll-call vote in which all seven board members recorded “yes.” After the vote, the board invited Clerk of Court Lexanne Huffman to administer the oath; Stout placed his hand on a Bible and was sworn in before offering brief remarks.

The closed-session motion — proposed under North Carolina General Statute 143-318.11(a)(3) and (6) to consult with the board's attorney and to discuss prospective public officers or employees — did not pass. On the roll call on that motion, Jennifer Dacey, Amy Davis, Darlene Gibbs, Lauren Kitzinger and Lori Spies voted “no”; Lee Kirkman and Patty Mason voted “yes,” producing a 5–2 tally in which the motion failed.

During his first remarks after being sworn, Richard L. Stout Jr., Interim Superintendent, thanked the board and said he intended to "make a smooth transition" and to be "a listening ear to you as well as the community and the staff," adding that he hoped the period before a new permanent superintendent is hired would be productive for both the district and the community.

The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn so that a reception could follow; that motion carried on a roll-call vote with all seven members voting “yes.”