Pender County Update - CC/BOE Vacancy

Hello Pender County Residents,

As you may have seen reported yesterday, Beth Burns has resigned from the Pender County Board of Education. Mrs. Burns has served on the Board of Education for 8 years and decided not to seek another term this November.

Last week, Mrs. Burns was chosen by the Pender County Republican Party's Executive Committee to fill the vacant seat of Pender County Commissioner, representing District 1.

Mrs. Burns made this statement yesterday on her personal Facebook account,

"Serving as your District 2 representative for nearly eight years has been one of the greatest honors and learning experiences of my life. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve two terms and for the many wonderful people I have had the privilege of meeting, working alongside, and learning from along the way. After much thought, I have decided that the best way to serve my constituents is to give my full attention to one seat rather than attempt to serve two."

The Pender County GOP wants to thank Beth Burns for her many years of service to the Pender County Schools and our children and her continued desire  to serve on the Board of Commissioners through the November elections. 

Was Beth Burns eligible to simultaneously serve as both Board of Education member and Pender County Commissioner?

The Pender County GOP received notice from the North Carolina Republican Party on Monday, August 24th that a complaint was filed regarding the County Commissioner appointment. The complaint questioned the ability for a resident to serve simultaneously on two Boards.

According to their interpretation of NC Statute §128-1.1, the North Carolina Republican Party ruled that a resident was unable to serve on these two Boards simultaneously.

With Mrs. Burns resignation as a Pender County Board of Education member, this allows for her appointment to the Pender County Board of Commissioners. The official letter of recommendation was received by the Pender County Manager and Board of Commissioners on Friday, August 21st.

Burns resignation is contingent on being sworn-in to the Pender County Board of Commissioners and will become effective on that date. 

The next Pender County Commissioners Meeting is scheduled for September 8th. As of yesterday evening, it was reported that this item has not been submitted to the agenda.

What changed?

The Pender County Republican Party sought clarification on a resident holding two offices (one through election and one through appointment) and received approval based on the same Statute mentioned above. Both the Pender County Board of Elections and the North Carolina State Board of Elections confirmed that Mrs. Burns was eligible to seek this seat on the Board of Commissions.

It was after additional research and legal advice that the State Republican Party ruled Mrs. Burns was not eligible to serve in these two positions.

What's Next?

• Mrs. Burns is awaiting confirmation on the date she will be sworn-in on the Pender County Board of Commissioners.
• Ms. Burns resignation will be effective on the date she is sworn-in as Pender County Commissioner.
• On the official date of Mrs. Burns resignation, the Pender County Republican Party has thirty days to make a recommendation to the Pender County Board of Education to fill this vacancy.
• Filling the vacancy on the Board of Education will follow the same process of our past appointments.
  • Notice of Executive Committee Meeting sent to the Pender County GOP Executive Committee with a minimum of ten day notice before the meeting.
  • Public announcement through email and PC GOP website announcing the open self-nomination period and deadline for submission.
  • Pender County Executive Committee meeting to vote on a recommendation to fill this vacancy on the Board of Education, representing District 2.
  • The District 2 resident that is appointed will serve out the rest of Mrs. Burns term, which expires at the swearing-in ceremony of a newly elected Board member following the November elections.

Jason Jordan is the Republican Primary winner and nominee that will appear on your November ballot. Mr. Jordan is running unopposed in the general Election.

Please respond back to this email with any questions or to [email protected].