KINGWOOD — Retired teacher and Preston High athletic director Bruce Huggins will fill a vacancy on the Preston County Board of Education until the 2020 primary election.
The board chose Huggins by a 4-0 vote Monday night, after interviewing seven people who expressed interest in filling the spot left vacant by the resignation of board Member Robert “Mac” McCrum last month.
McCrum said he plans to run for the West Virginia House of Delegates. Huggins will fill the position until someone is elected in May 2020 to fill the remainder of McCrum’s term.
The board asked those interested to contact the superintendent by Nov. 1. On Monday board members interviewed all seven in executive session. Interviews were done from 5-8 p.m., then the board came into open session to vote.
Interviewed in addition to Huggins were former board member Guy Cox, Sonynita Fitchett, Peter Liga, Randy Schoonover, Chad Shade and Lucas Tatham.
After the vote, board President Jack Keim said all seven applicants were “outstanding.”
“We could not have gone wrong with any of them,” Keim said. “These people hopefully will continue to have interest and continue to want to serve the children of Preston County and the board of education,” and run in 2020.
Board member Pam Feathers said she also was glad to see interest in serving on the board.
“Three and a half years ago, running unopposed in a county that desperately needed people to step up for two board positions, it was overwhelming to see so many people interested in getting involved in the board of education. I look forward to the election,” Feathers said.
Her seat, as well as that of board member Bob Ridenour, will also be on the ballot in 2020.
Huggins will be sworn in on Nov. 12. He currently works as a substitute teacher and must resign that position before taking office.
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