Perquimans school board gets three new members

Three new people will join the Perquimans County school board in July, and all three county commissioner incumbents will be on the ballot in November.

Incumbents Shirley Wiggins and Mack Nixon won Tuesday's Democratic primary for seats on the Board of Commissioners along with newcomer Tommy Lynn Riddick, who previously served on the county's Board of Education.

The three Democratic candidates for commissioner will face incumbent Republican Sue Weimar in the general election.

In the school board race, incumbent Gail Vaughn Hill lost her bid for re-election, placing sixth in a field of seven. Incumbent Helen Shaw did not file for re-election.

Susan B. Cox, Amy Spaugh and Arlene Yates placed first, second and third, respectively, and will join the school board in July.

Cox, a retired educator and owner of Carolina Trophy & Engraving, said in a candidate profile that her top issues include being a good steward of the county's money, focusing on recruitment and retention of highly qualified teachers, and preparing for growth.

"We must be proactive," she wrote.

Spaugh, a technical writer at Advanced Health Media in Chesapeake, said her primary issues include developing and communicating a stronger vision for educational excellence and community involvement, recruiting and retaining quality teachers and creating a budget that is proactive and focused on the future.

"We should also create financial incentives for educators who consistently demonstrate excellence," she wrote.

Yates, a licensed practical nurse who owns a day care facility, said she is deeply concerned about the county's drop-out rate.

"A solution to this is alternative programs for all children, in all grades, even for our long-term suspension students," she wrote.

She also said she wants to upgrade the schools with new technology so students will be prepared for the future.

Lauren King, (252) 338-2413, lauren.king@pilotonline.com