After a contentious and extended election cycle this spring, the Orange County Schools Board of Education formally transitioned into its latest membership this week by swearing in its recently elected members.
Carrie Doyle and Bonnie Hauser each took the oath of office again, while Wendy Padilla’s official addition completed her historical election to the board — as she is now the first Hispanic woman to serve in the role. Padilla, who earned the second-most votes in the March election, campaigned on a “student-first” platform and said she believed her message of needing to blend the underserved parts of the district’s community with leadership resonated with voters.
“It’s because they do want change – and you were able to see that,” Padilla told Chapelboro after the meeting. “They’re open to change, we want to grow in a direction where we’re a little more united. I’ve shown that I’m able to talk with everyone, hear everyone, and include everyone, and, most importantly, the least-heard voices of our community.”
Padilla said she remains grateful and honored to be in the role and looks forward to getting more residents involved or engaged with the school district. She said much of her preparation for joining the board is not just learning policies and etiquette, but also listening to former board members and constituents for advice.
“I do look forward [to] working with all the school board members in co-creating a stronger, united, and happy environment, where everyone can excel and succeed,” Padilla added. “One step forward is a step ahead. Anything is possible.”
Wendy Padilla takes the oath of office for the Orange County Schools Board of Education, administered by North Carolina District 50 Rep. Renée Price on July 15, 2024. (Photo via Orange County Schools.
Doyle and Hauser will each serve their second four-year terms on the board, having defeated several challenger candidates in an election featuring two opposing slates that both incumbents fell into. Hauser earned re-election during a runoff against fellow incumbent Jennifer Moore, after Moore earned more votes on Election Night but fell short of reaching the state-required threshold of half the total voters who cast ballots. Before the runoff, Moore resigned her board seat citing health reasons and amid scrutiny of her claim to having earned a doctorate degree.
Monday night also served as the board’s organizational meeting for the upcoming school year, although no positions changed hands. Anne Purcell was re-elected as chair with a 4-3 vote, and André Richmond was re-elected as vice-chair by the same vote count – reflecting how the board often continues to fall into two different camps of support.
But Purcell said in her own comments before ending Monday’s meeting that she believes the group is co-operating well. In the last year, the group has overseen the departure and selection of the district’s superintendent – now Danielle Jones instead of Monique Felder. It has also navigated the resignation of Moore, the planning for a school infrastructure bond referendum, and preparation for an eventual round of redistricting.
“I think that we have come a long way on this board,” Purcell said. “I think this board is working well together and I look forward to that being even better this year as we move forward for the students and the staff of Orange County Schools. We are a great school district, and we want everybody to know that.”
“I am,” she added, “very happy to serve as your chair again this year and work with these wonderful [teachers, principals, and leaders], and with our people at the central office who do so much every day for our schools. I just want to say to this board for giving me the opportunity to do this again, and I look forward to serving.”
Video of Monday’s Orange County Schools Board of Education meeting can be found on the district’s YouTube channel. The calendar for the board’s meetings during the 2024-25 academic year can be accessed here.
Featured photo via Orange County Schools.
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