Former school board chairwoman Mary Minor was selected by members of the Williamsburg-James City County School Board on Friday night to serve as the interim Powhatan representative.
Minor, who served on the WJCC School Board from 1998 to 2005, will replace former member Joe Fuentes, who vacated his seat Jan. 15 after announcing his resignation late last year.
The decision was not unanimous: Sandy Young (Berkeley) cast the sole “no” vote after she, Board chairman Jim Kelly (Jamestown), Parliamentarian Jim Beers (Roberts) and Holly Taylor (Stonehouse) concluded their deliberation.
Kelly said Minor was ultimately chosen because of her knowledge and skill set as a former board member.
“We thought it was important we have someone who had school board experience and was well versed in the school system,” Kelly said.
Kelly said Minor’s experience would support what he called a “very young board” – four of the seven members are in their first year on the WJCC School Board.
Minor was one of seven applicants deemed eligible for the seat. Two applicants, Patti DeBlass and Brian Stokes, withdrew their applications before interviews took place Friday.
During a public hearing Feb. 2 regarding the candidates, Minor said, if selected, she would support the board as it develops relationships and moves through the budget process.
“My application is because I continue to care about the WJCC students in this community,” Minor said.
Minor will hold the seat through November, when a special election will be held to formally elect a Powhatan representative.
The elected Powhatan representative will serve until Dec. 31, 2017, the date Fuentes’ term would have expired, unless he or she is re-elected.
