Rockingham school board looks to fill vacant seat

By Heather Smith

Published: July 23, 2008

The Rockingham County school board is accepting applications from people interested in filling an at-large seat.

Applications are available at the central office on Harrington Highway and on the district Web site. Elaine McCollum, board chair, said applications would be accepted until shortly before the board’s Aug. 11 meeting.

The position was left empty last month following the sudden death of Dr. Jim Austin, who had served less than half of his four-year term. To replace him, the school board must select among county residents who apply. The Board of Commissioners must approve the recommended candidate.

“The board members will have an opportunity to look them over and decide if we want to interview the applicants or submit a list of names to the commissioners,” McCollum said.

The three-page application asks if the candidate has prior criminal convictions, what qualifies them to be a board member and why they want the at-large seat.

“Before, when we selected a member to fill an empty seat, we did interviews and looked at what strengths and skills they would bring to the board,” McCollum said. “We will be looking for someone who is involved in their community and has an interest in the county. In some ways, that interest is more important than their managerial skills.”

McCollum said the school board might choose more than one name to pass on for the county’s selection and approval. She said it is likely the soonest the commissioners could make their selection would be at the September meeting.

Applications can be picked up from the school’s central office or printed off the district homepage at http://www.rock.k12.nc.us.

Staff writer Heather J. Smith can be reached at or 349-4331, ext. 16.