COURTLAND
Two members of the Southampton County School Board are up for reappointment next month, and county residents can share their opinion with the selection commission next month. A public hearing is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 7, at the school board office complex, 21308 Plank Road, in Courtland.

Vice chairman Jim Pope, who represents the Capron District, and Donna Rountree of Drewryville, will seek a second four-year term. Both were appointed in 2012, with Pope replacing the late Russell Schools — who retired after 41 years on the board — and Rountree unseating Becky Blackburn, who served on the board for 23 years.

“I would like to continue to build on the progress we have made over the last four years with student achievement and continue to build on our relationship with the board of supervisors and the community,” Pope said. “[If reappointed,] I will continue working with our board to provide a safe and successful learning environment for not only the students, but for our staff, as well.”

With nearly a month until the hearing, the district continues to solicit challengers for the respective positions. Letters or petitions can be submitted to indicate to the committee that people in the particular jurisdiction would like to serve.

At the hearing, candidates can present themselves or have people speak on their behalf as to why they should be appointed.

Southampton is among 24 of Virginia’s 134 school districts where voters do not choose school board members. Instead, court-appointed school board selection commission members Mark Hodges, Wayne Cosby and Larry Rose, all county residents, will make the appointments for terms that begin on July 1.

The selection is scheduled to be announced on Tuesday, June 14, at the same time and location.