School Board appoints Leslie Pryor as Rio District interim member

The Albemarle County School Board voted to appoint Leslie Pryor to fill the Rio District vacancy at its Jan. 23 meeting, approving the interim appointment by recorded roll call vote.

The board entered a closed session earlier in the meeting under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, citing Section 2.2-3711 for candidate interviews and legal consultation, then returned to open session and certified the closed meeting before taking the appointment vote.

Chair Catherine L. Acuff said the board reviewed seven applicants and interviewed each during a special meeting; the board said the interim appointment will last only until Dec. 31 and that the appointee will receive a briefing from the school board attorney, be sworn in, and attend the appointee's first regular meeting on Feb. 13, 2025.

Public comment during the meeting included multiple speakers who urged the board to appoint Jim Dillingbeck, who ran for the seat in the recent election. Michael Powers, a parent and Monticello High School graduate who spoke during the Rio District comment period, urged the board to "include everyone by showing those folks that their votes matter," and said Dillingbeck had earned substantial voter support in the recent election.

The board moved and seconded the appointment in open session; the clerk performed a roll-call vote. The record shows votes in favor by Ellen Osborne, Mr. Page, Ms. Billman, Dr. Rebecca Berlin, Ms. Judy Lee and Chair Catherine L. Acuff. The motion passed and Pryor was appointed.

Board members expressed appreciation for all seven applicants and said they look forward to working with Pryor on the board. The board noted that the vacancy resulted from the passing of former Rio District member Chuck Pace.

No other formal actions related to the appointment were taken at the meeting.