In a tight race across a wide field of candidates, the Orange County Schools Board of Education added two newcomers to its ranks on Tuesday: André Richmond and Anne Purcell.

Richmond, a school resource officer, earned the most votes of the race: 8,648 total votes and 19 percent of those cast. Purcell, who’s worked for more than 30 years in the school district, made a late push to take second place with 15.7 percent of the vote.

“I’m eager to start developing and instituting the key principals from my platform,” Richmond told Chapelboro. “Now is the time when the hard work and dedication begin and I look forward to working with my fellow board members, community members, faculty and staff as we create positive change — and give our students and teachers the quality school district they deserve.”

The races two incumbents, Will Atherton and Sarah Smylie, each earned re-election on Tuesday as well. Atherton trailed Purcell by just 13 votes for third, while Smylie claimed 15.1 percent of the vote. It will be both Atherton and Smylie’s second terms on the board.

Each incumbent shared a statement with Chapelboro about their re-elections.

“My family and I thank [the voters,]” wrote Atherton, “and we are so grateful for your kind words and support throughout my re-election campaign. We saw familiar faces and were thrilled to meet so many new members of our diverse, robust community! I am looking forward to continuing to serve our students, teachers, staff, families, and community!”

“I am so honored to keep supporting the incredible Orange County Schools community in our collective efforts to help every single student learn and thrive,” wrote Smylie.

Ashley Wheeler, who earned 14.2 percent of the vote, was left in fifth place. Penny Carter King finished with 12.7 percent, Bethni Lee finished with 5.7 percent and Garen McClure, who pulled out the race early, finished with 1.3 percent.

The race was described as many in the Orange County community as a tense one throughout the election cycle. Following increased animosity at school board meetings during 2020 and 2021 regarding public health protocols, LGBTQ-related books offered in the school libraries and other items, some voters described the election as critical for the future of the district. Chair of the Orange County Schools Board of Education Carrie Doyle penned an opinion column outlining how she believed voters had equity and diversity on the ballot.

Each of Richmond, Purcell, Atherton and Smylie will serve four-year terms on the school board.

 

Photo via WTOC.

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees. You can support local journalism and our mission to serve the community. Contribute today – every single dollar matters.

 

Related Stories
‹
Orange County Schools' Selena Masse Named First-Ever Outstanding Holocaust Educator of the Year
An Orange County Schools teacher was recently named the first-ever Outstanding Holocaust Educator of the Year. 
'How Are We Engaging in Schools?' Orange County Shares Survey Results
In its first meeting of the year, the Orange County Schools Board of Education discussed results from a survey that aimed to better understand issues facing parents and students. 
Orange County School Board Unanimously Keeps Challenged Books in Libraries
The Orange County Board of Education recently held a special meeting to consider an appeal by a parent of the decision to keep three books in the Cedar Ridge High School library. The Orange County Board of Education chose to uphold the previous decisions saying these books have a place in the county’s high school libraries.
Orange County School Board Votes to Continue 'High Risk' Sports Programs
Following a contentious school board meeting that lasted well into Monday night, the Orange County Board of Education voted to continue high school sports in Hillsborough despite recent health department recommendations to close “high risk” sports programs. The school board met to vote on a proposal to temporarily halt high school sports, including football, after […]
Orange County Schools Aims To Rename Two Schools Ahead of Fall
Two Orange County schools (OCS) are undergoing a renaming process in order to abandon their ties to white supremacy.
Orange County Schools to Start Year with Online Learning
The Orange County Schools district will begin its school year using an exclusively remote model out of concerns for the ongoing spread of COVID-19 in the county. The district decided on Thursday in an emergency meeting to begin the 2020-21 school year with virtual learning until at least September. The board will meet again next week […]
Hauser, Doyle and Moore Win Seats on Orange County School Board
Several candidates running for the Orange County Board of Education were neck-and-neck Tuesday night, with the race not being called until 100 percent of the precincts reported results. Bonnie Hauser, Jennifer Moore and Carrie Doyle won the tight race, with just more than 250 votes separating the three. LaTarndra Strong, who finished in fourth, trailed […]
2020 Election Candidate Intros: Orange County Board of Education
Six candidates are vying for three available seats on the Orange County Schools Board of Education. One incumbent is running for re-election while five others are looking to fill seats left by board members Dr. Stephen Halkiotis and Matthew Roberts. Listen to the candidates running for Orange County Board of Education (Three seats): Carrie Doyle https://chapelboroaudio.s3.amazonaws.com/2020/February/11/DOYLE%20EDITED.mp3 […]
Here’s What You Need to Know Before CHCCS, Orange County High Schools’ 2025 Graduations
The local school districts are preparing to hold their graduations this weekend and have shared instructions for participants and visitors.
Speaking of Schools: Gravely Hill Middle School Art Teacher Amanda Aguayo
Gravely Hill Middle School Art Teacher Amanda Aguayo spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Tuesday, June 10. She discussed her Middle School Art classroom and how she approaches teaching art to that grade level. She discussed highlights from the year and some of what she loves about teaching. She also discussed her appointment to Governor Stein's Teacher Advisory Committee, and more.
›