Saint Lucie School Board elects Troy Ingersoll chair; contested vice‑chair vote prompts tense exchange

Troy Ingersoll was elected chair of the Saint Lucie County School Board at the board's Nov. 18 organizational meeting, and Debbie Holly was chosen as vice chair after a contested selection that produced a sharp exchange among members.

Superintendent John Prince opened nominations. "I nominate mister Troy Ingersoll for chair," a board member said; the nomination was seconded and Ingersoll was elected by voice vote, with the superintendent announcing, "Motion carries 5 0." Shortly afterward the board opened nominations for vice chair. Jennifer Richardson was put forward by one member and Debbie Holly by another. A first roll call on Richardson failed with a mix of yes and no votes; after a subsequent vote Holly was declared vice chair with three votes to two.

The vice‑chair result produced a prolonged, sometimes emotional debate. Donna Mills said she was "very disappointed in how the vote came out this evening" and that it was "very disrespectful" not to continue a rotation of leadership she said had existed previously. Mills added, "Now, I'm an African American woman," invoking her personal history to explain why she felt strongly about the outcome.

Theresa Aronson and other members responded that leadership roles must be earned. Aronson said she would not "vote for anybody that hasn't demonstrated the ability to lead," and argued the decision was about ability and teamwork, not race. Chair Ingersoll and other members said relations with the superintendent and team dynamics informed their votes. Jennifer Richardson challenged suggestions about her relationship with the superintendent, saying she was elected to give direction as a board member.

The board did not take any formal action to reopen nominations or change the result. The election of chair and vice chair concluded the organizational portion of the meeting and the board moved on to committee assignments and regular business.