Board of Education seeks to fill vacancy

When Mia Burroughs was elected to the Orange County Board of Commissioners on Nov. 5, an empty seat was left behind on the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education.

Burroughs, who served as vice chairwoman of the Board of Education, will be sworn into office as an Orange County commissioner on Dec. 1.

Her term on the school board wasn’t set to expire until 2015, so her colleagues will appoint someone to take her place.

An information session will be hosted on Nov. 17 at Lincoln Center, located at 750 S. Merritt Mill Road, to teach applicants about the district and the role each board member plays.

Burroughs will also attend the session to talk about her expectations for her replacement.

“The board will look for someone dedicated to the success of our 12,000 students — who will work for the benefit of all students and teachers and who meets the criteria,” said Jeff Nash, a spokesman for Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools.

According to the application packet, a successful applicant should have excellent communication skills and experience in the area of education. Experiences with nonprofit boards and programs that help children and families are also important.

The application deadline for the position is Nov. 19. The new member will be selected at the Board of Education’s meeting on Dec. 4.

Nash said that community members can propose suggestions they have and provide feedback at the board’s meeting.

Jamezetta Bedford, a member of the Board of Education, said she is excited for Burroughs’ new role.

“I am delighted that Mia was elected to the county commissioners,” Bedford said in an email. “I served as her campaign treasurer. We will miss her on the school board, but she will add that perspective and experience to the commissioners.”

Nash said that CHCCS is supportive of Burroughs’ recent selection as a commissioner.

“We are confident that Ms. Burroughs will do a great job as a county commissioner,” Nash said. “Ms. Burroughs always made people her first priority.”

Burroughs said she appreciates her time on the school board.

“I will miss seeing the amazing people who work so hard every day on behalf of our children,” Burroughs said.

Commissioner Bernadette Pelissier said that Burroughs has a good background to be on the county board.

“She understands the school system. That is an important part of our budget,” Pelissier said. “The biggest adjustment is that she has to know that she represents all the county and both school systems (including Orange County Schools) and not just the Chapel Hill-Carrboro school system.”

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