ISLE OF WIGHT
No action was taken on filling the Hardy District seat of the Isle of Wight School Board during the Thursday night meeting. However, IWCS spokeswoman Kenita Bowers did say the board announced that letters of support for candidates can be submitted to the board clerk by Wednesday, Jan. 14.

“Once all letters are received, the school board will review them and contact candidates for interviews. The interviews will also be held at the Special Meeting on Jan. 16,” Bowers said.

Related to that, the board also has to consider filling in Superintendent Dr. Katrise Perera’s position, when she leaves at the end of June. This past December, she announced her resignation so that she can help take care of a family member. later that same month, board members discussed whether to look internally or externally for a replacement. No plan has been finalized yet, Bowers said.

A budget work session is scheduled for 3 p.m. on Friday in the school board office, which is located behind Westside Elementary School in Smithfield. Perera will be making a budget presentation on Wednesday, Feb. 18, in Windsor High School, and Thursday, Feb. 19, in Smithfield High School; both begin at 6 p.m.

Prior to conducing business for the evening, the board leadership changed hands. Chairwoman Julia Perkins of the Windsor District handed the gavel to Kent Hildebrand of the Newport District as the chairman for the year; Denise Tynes of the Smithfield District is the vice chair. Tracey Reutt and Sandra Carr are the board clerk and deputy clerk, respectively.

Lindsey Ball, the student representative on the board, has been selected as a semi-finalist for the Jefferson Scholars Award, Bowers said. The Windsor High School senior will be interviewed on Saturday, Jan. 24. If selected as a finalist, she will compete at the Jefferson Scholars Selection Weekend in March.