THE INDEPENDENT NEWS
COURTHOUSE — School Board Chairperson Carolyn Rye and Vice Chairperson Kim Melnyk will remain in their leadership roles following a vote by members of the board on Tuesday, Jan. 11.
School Board Member Beverly Anderson, herself a former board chair, nominated Rye to remain in the position.
“This past two years has been tremendously difficult,” Anderson said. “In fact, I would venture to say it has been the most difficult time in this board’s history … Mrs. Rye has been a steady leader we could count on.”
School Board Member Vicky Manning nominated School Board Member Carolyn Weems as chairperson, noting Weems’ long service and understanding of procedures.
“I think she would make a phenomenal chair to help unite this very divided board,” Manning said.
Rye won the vote, 7-4, with Manning, Weems and School Board Members Jennifer Franklin and Laura Hughes voting in the minority for Weems.
“I’m grateful for the support and will continue to lead and listen to all colleagues and all our stakeholders,” Rye said during brief remarks following the vote.
For vice chair, School Board Member Trenace Riggs nominated Melnyk, saying she has done a great job working with the chair, colleagues, educators and citizens.
Weems nominated Hughes as vice chair, saying Hughes knows how to run a meeting, is fair and will listen.
“It will give us a chance to get this divided board a representation from each side of this board,” Weems said.
The vote was 7-4 for Melnyk, with the same School Board members voting in the minority for Hughes.
Rye, who was first selected as chairperson in 2020, has represented the Lynnhaven District and now resides within District 8 under the new 10-district local voting system.
Melnyk, the vice chairperson since 2019, was elected to represent the Princess Anne District, and she now resides in District 2. Both were first elected to the board in 2014.
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