Catawba County Board appoints Greg Whitener to fill Dr. Leslie Barnett’s unexpired term
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Summary
The Catawba County Board of Education used a nomination-ballot process Nov. 24 to fill a vacancy created by the death of Dr. Leslie Barnett; Greg Whitener won the final round by a reported four votes and was appointed to the board.
The Catawba County Board of Education appointed Greg Whitener to fill the unexpired term of Dr. Leslie Barnett on Nov. 24 after using the board’s adopted nomination‑ballot method.
Board chair explained that board policy 2.115 and policy 2.34, together with North Carolina statutory guidance (transcript reference to general statute 115C‑37(f)), underlie the vacancy‑filling process and described the nomination‑ballot procedure before opening nominations.
Three nominees were placed: Derek Colson, Greg Whitener and Matthew Fox. The board conducted rounds of show‑of‑hands voting. Derek Colson was eliminated after the first round; in the final tally the transcript reports Greg Whitener received a majority with four votes and was declared the prevailing nominee. The board moved to make the appointment official and approved it by motion.
Board members provided biographical summaries for each nominee before the vote. The record shows Whitener described as a lifelong Catawba County resident with decades of community service (including involvement with local fire department and volunteer programs). Colson and Fox were also introduced with summaries of their local ties and military or public‑safety service.
After the appointment, the board voted unanimously to go into closed session to discuss confidential student and personnel matters, attorney‑client privileged matters and personnel concerns.
The appointment fills Dr. Barnett’s seat for the remainder of her unexpired term; no additional details about Whitener’s swearing‑in date or duties beyond the appointment vote were provided at the meeting.