Elkin City Schools board appoints Susan Baker to fill vacant seat after county appointment cited as noncompliant

The Elkin City Schools Board of Education appointed Susan Baker to fill a vacant board seat during a board meeting, the board announced.

Board Chair said the Surry County GOP "once again failed to follow the statutory requirements for appointing a new board member," and noted that the individual the county had selected had declined the nomination and appointment. As a result, the chair said, the board could choose its own replacement for the open seat.

A board member nominated Susan Baker, saying, "I think Susan has had over 17 years of experience with the administration, with staff and students," and praised her experience working directly with school staff and students. The nomination was seconded and approved by a voice vote; the board did not record a roll-call tally in the transcript and the exact count of yes/no votes is not specified.

The transcript does not specify the effective date of Baker's appointment or the length of the term she will serve. Board members did not state an implementation date during the meeting.

The meeting also included routine calendar announcements: early dismissal on Dec. 20; annual leave Dec. 23 and Dec. 27—31; Christmas and New Year's holidays; optional teacher workdays Jan. 2—3; a required teacher workday and a special Board of Education training on Jan. 6 at the administration building at 8 a.m.; Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Jan. 20; and the next regular board meeting on Jan. 27 at 6 p.m. The chair proposed a tentative 4:00 p.m. start for a closed session, noting the time "may change."

The board adjourned following the announcements.