Two races develop for school board seats

The Martin County Board of Education will see competition for at least two of the four seats which are slated to be on the November ballot.

The races begin in District 7 where incumbent school board chair and longtime member Van Heath has filed for another term on the school board. He will be challenged by James O. Shiver. Both candidates reside in the Jamesville district.

The other race is set for the Robersonville district — District 2 — where two people have filed to replace school board member Gail Everett Cargile, who recently announced her retirement for the board.

Vying to replace here will be Pat C. Nelson and Heisha Matthewson Lynch. That seat will only be for the remainder of Cargile’s term, which ends in 2026.

In District 5, only incumbent Renee Purvis of Williamston has filed for the seat thus far.

Chase Conner has filed for the District 3 seat on the board currently held by Kenneth Harrell, who is not expected to seek re-election.

Filing for the school board will continue until noon on Friday, July 26.

While those wishing to seek a seat on the Martin County Board of Education have more time, filing has ended for the Martin Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor seat.

Ricky Cannon of Oak City, who currently serves on the board, was the only person to file for the seat.