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CAPE FEAR MEMORIAL BRIDGE CLOSURE: UPDATES, RESOURCES, AND CONTEXT

NHC Board of Education Elects New Chair, Welcomes New Superintendent

  At Tuesday evening’s New Hanover County School Board meeting, Charles Foust was sworn in as the new Superintendent and said his top priorities are ensuring safety and security and compliance with Title IX laws. But as WHQR reports the meeting took an unexpected turn.    

In a surprise announcement, Board Chair Lisa Estep said she was stepping downfrom that role. Estep says she wants continuity for the newest Superintendent before and after the November election. Estep is not running for re-election.

David Wortman nominated Judy Justice for Chair. Lisa Estep nominated Stefanie Adams to assume the position.  

Justice and Adams both offered remarks as to why they wanted the job. 

Justice went first:

“I bring to this table the most experience in education and in this district. I have been honest; I have been consistent, as I’ve said. I care about the kids. Now, we have had some people that continually do things behind the curtain, and I’m going to be honest, one of them is Ms. Adams.”

Then Adams presented her case,

"Dr. Foust has an incredibly important role -- he is leading this district, he is the next chapter for New Hanover County Schools. And he is going to need support. Does that mean I know everything about the district?  No, I don’t claim to be, like Ms. Justice does.”

Adams was voted in as Chair 5-2, with the support of Estep, Nelson Beaulieu, Jeannette Nichols, and Bill Rivenbark. Wortman and Justice dissented.