HAMLET — There was a change of leadership on the board as a result of the Richmond County Board of Education's June 30 annual close-out meeting for the end of the 2025-26 school year.
On a motion, the board elected to elevate member Scotty Baldwin to vice-chair of the board by a 4-3 vote. Baldwin replaces member Bobbie Sue Ormsby in the position.
By an earlier 5-2 vote, board chair Cory Satterfield was re-elected to that position for the 2026-27 term.
Satterfield and Baldwin were first elected to the school board in 2022. Veteran members Ormsby and Daryl Mason were first elected to the board in 2014 and 2018, respectively.
During the meeting, Finance Officer Dawn Jordan delivered some good news to the board: Financially, the local schools broke even for the 2025-26 term. That means the board will not have to rely upon the system's fund balance to meet expenses for the year.
The fund balance serves as equivalent to a savings account for the district. The balance currently stands at approximately $1.6 million. About $1 million was required to meet expenses for the 2024-25 year.
Superintendent Dr. Joe Ferrell extended praise to both the central office staff, and to educators throughout the system, for budget-savings measures to make that possible for the past year. Savings from staff salaries were accomplished through normal attrition such as retirements.
The board also adopted a calendar for the coming year. Rising seniors at Richmond Senior High can look forward to a June 4, 2027 graduation. Ashley Chapel Educational Center will hold graduation on June 3.
Re-elected board members were sworn into office for the ensuing year. Richmond County Clerk of Court Vickie Daniel administered oaths to Satterfield, Mason and Baldwin.
Superior Court Judge Ashley Gore of Columbus County was on hand to swear-in her mother-in-law, Ormsby.
