Republican Party Nominates Candidate for School Board Vacancy

The Iredell-Statesville Schools Board of Education could soon have a new member after the Iredell County Republican Party Executive Committee selected its nominee to fill the District 2 seat.

GOP leaders voted Monday evening to nominate Matthew Youngblood, a teacher at Statesville Christian School, after reviewing five applicants for the position.

According to party officials, the next step is to send a formal letter to the school board endorsing Youngblood. The board will have final authority over the appointment.

If approved, Youngblood would serve the remainder of the term previously held by Kevin Angell, who resigned in late January following an altercation with fellow board member Mike Kubiniec.

GOP Chairman Sean McGowan said the Executive Committee was responsible for selecting the nominee because the District 2 seat is partisan and was previously held by a Republican.

Other candidates who expressed interest in the vacancy included former board member Charles Kelly, Katie Kitchin, Alison Palmeter and Barbara Thorson.

The school board is expected to review the nomination and make a final decision at an upcoming meeting.