The Daily Record
School Board Member Resigns
By TOM WOERNER
Of The Record Staff
A member of the Harnett County School Board resigned Monday night in a surprise move that leaves a state of uncertainty on the board.
Republican Board member Chad Smith, who defeated former member Kevin Gregory in a primary race two years ago to gain the seat, announced he will leave his post effective June 30. Mr. Smith said he is leaving the area to help his brother start a church in New Bern. Mr. Smith asked prior to the agenda approval that an item addressing his resignation be included. He then addressed the issue at the end of the night’s proceedings.
Mr. Smith said he and his family have commuted to New Bern, more than two hours away, each Sunday to attend worship services for the p ast several months. They want to take a more active role.
“It is time to listen to God and help my brother grow this church,” Mr. Smith said. “I have been dangling my feet a long time on this and it is time for me to jump in.”
He said he will miss his service to the board.
“I will never forget the experience serving as a member of the Harnett County School Board,” Mr. Smith said. “Everyone here as been great to work with and I will miss you all.”
The end of the meeting came with tears and handshakes as members and school staff said goodbye to Mr. Smith.
“It has been an absolute pleasure working with Chad,” Board Chairman Bill Morris said. “I understand why he is leaving, but he will be missed.”
Harnett County Board of Commissioners Chairman Jim Burgin said his board will also miss Mr. Smith.
“Chad has worked hard to learn how the school board works and we are going to miss him,” Mr. See School, Page 3 School
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Burgin said. “He is a nice guy and we wish him the best in anything he does.”
The process of replacing Mr. Smith now begins. Board attorney Charles Bullock said it is the board’s responsibility to name a replacement.
According to North Carolina General Statutes, the board must consult with the executive committee of the party of the former candidate before a vote is taken. Any member has to be approved by the board which, with Mr. Smith now gone, is split evenly between two Democrats and two Republicans. State Rep. David Lewis said he interprets the law to read that the board is required by law to approve the recommendation of the county executive committee.
Mr. Morris said work sessions will be held soon to name a replacement for Mr. Smith. He said he would like to see a new board member seated to fill the seat immediately after Mr. Smith vacates it.
“I would like for the new person to be in place on July 1,” Mr. Morris said.
The board faces the possibility of yet another vacancy in November. Current Republican member Howard Penny is a candidate for Harnett County commissioner. If he wins that seat he will be forced to resign his school board post. Two members, Mr. Morris and Ray Bryant, face re-election challenges this year from Dr. David Bradham and Eddie Jaggers respectively. Mr. Bryant is a Democrat along with Vivian Bennett.
In other action, the board held a moment of silence in honor of former Triton High School student Eddy Rae’Laurin Gates, 20, formerly of Dunn. She was among a group of soldiers drowned when her truck overturned in a flooded creek during training exercises in Texas. A memorial service was held for the fallen soldider at Dunn’s lyier Park Hiesday night.
Mr. Morris asked members of the financial staff to report back to the board on the amount of money the county has received from the North Carolina Education Lottery. Mr. Morris and Mr. Burgin received communications indicating the county received several million dollars in lottery money more than was actually received. Superintendent Stan Williams will report back to the board on the amount of funding
Harnett County School Board Member Chad Smith, left, stands with Board Chairman Bill Morris Monday night after Mr. Smith announced he will leave his post at the end of this month.
Daily Record Photo/Tom Woerner
