Leadership on school board remains the same
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on December 8, 2015 1:46 PM
Wayne County Board of Education leadership remains unchanged for the coming year, and board member Eddie Radford announced Monday night he will not seek another term when his is up in 2016.
Chairman Chris West and Vice Chairman Arnold Flowers were re-elected to their respective roles without opposition.
Traditionally, the annual election for chairman and vice chairman moves along seamlessly, with the vice chairman subsequently taking over the reins the following year. But that has not always been the case.
Two years ago, at the completion of West's term as vice chairman, Flowers nominated him as chair. Board member Rick Pridgen nominated then-chairman John Grantham to serve a second year, with a 4-3 vote securing things stayed the same. The rationale given was that the district was in the midst of building two new schools and Grantham, a construction engineer, should see the projects through to completion.
That all changed last year when Grantham was unseated by Jennifer Strickland.
When it came time to decide new leadership, West moved up to the chairman role -- but by a split vote. This time the 4-3 margin flipped, with the former minority taking the lead. The same held true when Flowers' nomination was put to a vote.
Flowers, who nominated West at the outset of Monday's meeting, said it was his decision to keep things status quo.
"I know normally in days gone by we've gone chair and vice chair but I personally asked Mr. West would he serve again," he said after the vote. "I simply do not have time to take on full responsibilities of the chair."
He cited a commitment with his son and the family business as part of the reason.
West thanked the board for "trusting me for another year," pledging to stay the course.
"We've got 12 months in front of us," he said. "Mr. Flowers and myself, I'm sure we'll do everything we can to make it smooth for the board and do what we can to support Wayne County Public Schools, our students, teachers and central office. I appreciate your support."
Radford, in his second term in the at-large seat, waited until board comment at the end of the meeting to confirm he will not run again.
"I would like to let everybody know that I will not be seeking re-election at this particular time. This will be my last term," he said. "I've had a great time and it's time to turn it over to somebody else.
"There are some people out there I know that are interested in this position. I certainly hope that you get it if you really want it."
He said he plans to complete his current term, which runs until November 2016.
The 35-year education veteran -- teacher, coach, assistant principal and principal with WCPS as well as a stint as headmaster at Wayne Country Day School -- is also a familiar face at Wilber's Barbecue, where he has worked since 1964.
He said afterward it was an appropriate time to turn over the reins to new blood.
A new candidate for the seat has already emerged.
Ven Faulk of Dudley, president of Shumate-Faulk Funeral Home, filed on the first day.
The filing period for the 2016 primary and general election began Dec. 1 at noon and ends at noon on Dec. 21.
Two other board members are up for re-election in 2016 -- Patricia Burden and Dwight Cannon. Neither have filed or announced intentions to run again.
Faulk has made three previous attempts at securing a seat on the school board.
In 2008, he ran against Radford.
Two years later he was in contention for the appointment to the District 2 seat, with the commissioners naming Len Henderson to fill the unexpired term of Shirley Sims.
Then in 2012, Faulk ran against Dwight Cannon for the District 2 seat.