Following the change in leadership when Lenoir County Board of Education member Keith King assumed the newly vacant Lenoir County Commissioners seat once held by Chad Rouse, the school board will hold a special meeting to appoint a replacement for King’s seat.

At the most recent Board of Education meeting, Steve Roman and Pastor John Wiggins gave presentations to the board for consideration to be placed in that seat. First to present was Triple P Regional Coordinator Steve Roman, who believes in developing policies that support community needs, maintaining strong relationships with parents and teachers, and supporting the entire district’s needs.

“I think the primary responsibilities of the school board member are to help develop policies that best support the needs in this community as far as what's going on in the school system,” said Roman.

He prioritizes personal values and community consensus, willing to support the majority vote while maintaining his own principles.

“I would be willing to support the majority of the vote,” said Roman. “I would certainly vote my own. The things that I was taught being raised, I things that make me who I am. I would vote according to that.”

The second presenter was La Grange First Missionary Baptist Church Pastor John Wiggins. He advocates for consistent and fair policy implementation district-wide, emphasizing the need for unity and support from all stakeholders.

“Policies have to be consistent throughout the whole district,” said Wiggins. “It has to be enforced from the top down. The policies not equally enforced are not going to mean a whole lot.”

Wiggins understands the multifaceted nature of school safety and the impact of School Resource Officers (SROs), advocating for prioritizing and addressing different levels of security.

“The presence of your school resource officers has a big impact on the young men and women in our schools,” said Wiggins.

Both Roman and Wiggins have invested their time and energy into supporting their communities. Roman’s extensive experience in child welfare, education, and community service positions him as a knowledgeable and empathetic figure in addressing educational and parenting challenges. Wiggins is a community-focused leader with a diverse background in law enforcement, military service, and religious ministry. His dedication to service and his empathetic approach to addressing the needs of children and families in his community.

The Lenoir County Board of Education will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, at 6:00 pm for the purpose of appointing a community member to fill the District 2 vacancy.