Powhatan school board elects Susan Smith chair, names vice chair and clerks; superintendent names designees

The Powhatan County School Board elected Susan Smith as chair and Jeanne Wade as vice chair, and reappointed Sheila Eggleston as board clerk and Kelsey Bryce as deputy clerk during the board’s reorganization session.

The board voted by roll call to confirm the officers and clerks. The board also approved the superintendent’s 2025 designees for attendance and document-signing: Dr. Angela Stewart, chief academic officer; Courtney Jarman, chief schools officer; and Debbie Holloway, chief financial officer.

The reorganizational motions were introduced, seconded and decided by roll call. Board members recorded “aye” votes during the roll calls for chair, vice chair, and clerk appointments. The superintendent described the purpose of designees as covering meeting attendance and signature authority for the Virginia Department of Education when the superintendent is unavailable.

The officer elections and clerk appointments formalize the board’s leadership and administrative contacts for the coming year. The approved designees are senior central-office officials who the superintendent said will sign documents and represent the division when the superintendent cannot attend.

The meeting moved next to committee assignments and other business after the reorganization votes.