The Catawba County Board of Education on Nov. 24 used a nomination-ballot process to fill the unexpired term of the late Dr. Leslie Barnett and appointed Greg Whitener to the seat.

Chairman Stoudmire opened nominations under the board’s vacancy policy and described the method that would be used, citing board policy 2.115 and board policy 2.34 and noting a state statute guiding vacancies. Board members nominated Derek Colson, Greg Whitener and Matthew Fox. Each nominee received two minutes of board member remarks before the board conducted rounds of show-of-hands voting.

In the first round, Derek Colson received fewer hands and was eliminated; in the final round Greg Whitener received a majority of votes and was declared the winner. After the chair announced Whitener’s selection, a motion was made and the board formalized the appointment.

Board members described Whitener as a lifelong Catawba County resident with community service experience and local civic involvement. Nominees’ résumés and biographical notes were presented aloud by board members as part of the public, on-record process.

The chair noted that a majority of members present (four votes) was required to prevail. With Whitener appointed, the board then voted unanimously to go into closed session to address confidential student and personnel matters and attorney-client privilege issues.

The appointment fills the remainder of Dr. Barnett’s unexpired term; the board did not announce a separate swearing-in date during the meeting.