Four members of the Vance County Board of Education were sworn in Dec. 12 – two newcomers and two who returning members.
Randy Oxendine and Omega Perry are beginning their first terms on the school board, representing District 2 and District 6, respectively. They join returning board members Gloria White and Ruth Hartness.
White, who has represented District 1 since 2002, will be the new board chair; Oxendine was selected to be vice-chair.
“It has been my pleasure to serve the citizens of Vance County.,” she said in written information provided by Vance County Schools. “I am very appreciative of the people in District 1, for their continuous support and confidence in me. I believe in education. I believe that receiving a quality education can change a person’s life and the world. Without a quality education the future of our nation will be very bleak,” White said, adding that she is proud to live in Vance County and to be a member of the board of education.
Randy Oxendine decided to run for the District 2 seat being vacated by his wife, Darlynn Oxendine, who decided not to seek another term on the board.
He is a retired educator with the school system and has coached a variety of sports over the years.
Perry, the other newcomer to the board, was elected to the District 6 seat, which previously was held by Margaret Ellis, who retired from the board after 32 years. He is pastor at Cook’s Chapel AME Zion Church in Henderson and St. Mary’s AME Zion Church in Kittrell, but he also is a substitute teacher in Warren County Schools.
“I am excited,” Perry said. “My motto is helping the community one person at a time,” he said.
Hartness has been the District 7 representative on the school board for 22 years. She said she enjoys her service on the board and wants to continue working with Superintendent Dr. Cindy Bennett, who she said done “a phenomenal job” leading the school district. “My mission is to support her in our efforts to educate the young people of Vance County so they will be prepared and be successful when they leave us.”
Outgoing members Oxendine and Ellis were recognized for their contributions to the school board during the meeting. In addition to receiving a rocking chair, Ellis was given a keepsake album filled with photographs taken at her recent retirement celebration; Oxendine was presented with a poster highlighting her career with the school district. It was announced that the first game of the 2023-24 volleyball season would be named for Oxendine, with proceeds going to her favorite charity.