Board of Education

The Catawba County Board of Education is an elected board of seven community leaders who serve as the governing body for Catawba County Schools. Each board member is elected by voters from the entire district and each member serves a four-year term. Their roles require a great deal of time, energy, care, and commitment to brighten futures for Catawba County Schools’ students. We are deeply grateful for the tireless dedication of our board members.

The board is responsible for establishing policies under which the district operates while acting within the framework of state and federal laws and while meeting the unique needs and concerns of the communities they serve. As civic leaders, our board members face complex and demanding challenges and contribute hundreds of hours each year leading Catawba County Schools to Engage, Inspire, and Empower.

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Meet Our Board

Chair, Tim Settlemyre

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Joined Board:

I was elected to the Board in 2022, and this is my first term.

Education and Experience:

I was born and raised in Catawba County and am a proud product of Claremont Elementary School, Catawba Middle School, and Bunker Hill High School. I joined the Navy directly after graduating from high school and am a Desert Shield and Desert Storm veteran. I earned an Associate’s Degree in Automotive Systems Technology, a Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Leadership from Mountain State University, and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Appalachian State University. I also volunteer as a Guardian Ad Litem in Catawba County. I currently work for the City of Charlotte as the Fleet Technical Analyst and the Global Security Administrator for the City of Charlotte Automated
Vehicle Locator (AVL) program.

About Me:

My wife, Dr. Bethany Settlemyre, and were married in 2011 and have three children. Dr. Settlemyre is employed at Maiden Middle School. Our oldest daughter Carson is a Bandys graduate and lives in California where her husband, a Marine, is stationed at Camp Pendleton. Our two youngest children, Timothy and Katherine attend Maiden Elementary School. Our family lives on a small farm in Conover. We enjoy camping, hiking, and swimming.

Vice Chair, Clayton Mullis

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Joined Board:

I was elected to the Board for my first term in 2024 and will be eligible for re-election in 2028.

Education and Experience:

I am originally from Lincoln County and attended Lincoln County Schools from elementary through high school, graduating from West Lincoln High School in 2004. Over the years, I have earned numerous certifications in the law enforcement field and completed management training through the Ace Hardware franchise. I served four years on the Lincoln County Board of Education from 2010–2014, gaining valuable insight into public education and governance. Additionally, I have held several leadership roles within my church, contributing to both my personal and professional growth. Currently, I work for a small, family-owned hardware store in Cherryville, NC, with nearly 20 years of experience in the hardware industry. I have also worked for three different sheriffs across two counties, Gaston and Lincoln.

About Me:

I was born and raised in the small town of Crouse in Lincoln County, North Carolina, as the middle child of three, with an older sister and a younger brother. In 2019, I married my wife and moved to Catawba County to begin our life together. We are proud parents of two daughters who attend Catawba County Schools and share our home with our beloved dog, Molly. My wife and I are active members of the Word of Life Lutheran Church (NALC/LCMC) in Vale, where I am passionate about serving our church community. When our schedules allow, we enjoy traveling, and I’ve recently taken up pickleball as a hobby we can enjoy together. I also love golfing, watching NASCAR, cheering on the UNC Tar Heels, and attending our daughters’ school activities. For me, family and community are at the heart of everything I do.

Member, Dr. Leslie Barnette

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Joined Board:

I was elected to the Board in 2018, and I am currently serving my second 4-year term on the board.

Education and Experience:

I am a proud native of Catawba County and have lived here my whole life. I am a graduate of St. Stephens High School. I am a retired educator with 42 years of service. During my career I worked as a teacher assistant, a classroom teacher, an assistant principal, a school principal, and ended my service as Director of Elementary Education, Director of Federal Programs, Preschool, and Early Headstart for Catawba County Schools. I am a graduate of Lenoir-Rhyne University and Appalachian State University, where I earned my doctorate in education in 2016.

About Me:

I am the mother of two children, a son, Jason Honeycutt, and daughter, Ashley Barnette (deceased). I have 2 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren, all of whom (that are school-aged) are products of NC Public Schools. Since my retirement, I am a tax-aide volunteer for AARP, volunteer for Meals-on-Wheels, and teach a daily online scripture study course for high schoolers for my church. While neither of my parents were fortunate enough to finish high school, they valued education and encouraged us to get an education. I was the first person in my family to finish college. My parents lived long enough to see me become a school principal – a source of great pride since my dad was a school custodian and my mom was a lunchroom lady. I enjoy water aerobics, walking, the outdoors, reading, and taking care of my dog, Max, and my cat, Jellybean.

Member, David Goforth

Member, Don Sigmon

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Joined Board:

I was elected to the Board in 2022, and this is my first term.

Education and Experience:

I am a lifelong citizen of Catawba County, raised in Maiden, and attended Maiden Elementary through Maiden High School. I earned an Associate Degree in Sacred Literature from Covington Theological Seminary in Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia. I also have an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity degree. I have pastored five churches in my forty plus years of pastoring. Currently, I am the Pastor at Eastside Baptist Church in Newton, NC. I have been at this great church for over 22 years and have no plans to retire at this point in my life.

About Me:

My wife, Elaine, and I were married in 1973 and will be celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary in 2023. Elaine is a graduate of Newton-Conover High School. She received an Associate Degree in Nursing from CVCC. The Lord has blessed us with four beautiful children (Chantae, Kristen, Aaron, and Brandon) and fourteen precious grandchildren.

My wife and I love animals. We have a Tennessee Walking horse and three German Shepherds that are our fur babies. We love studying God's Word and spending time with our personal family as well as our church family. Elaine and I work together in visiting those in need and spending time with those who need Godly counsel.

Member, Michelle Teague

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Joined Board:

I was elected to the Board in 2022, and this is my first term.

Education and Experience:

I am a lifelong citizen of Catawba County. I graduated from St. Stephens High School and King's College and attended classes at Catawba Valley Community College for Business Administration.

Throughout my career, I have worked for major telecommunication corporations including Verizon Wireless and Corning Cable Systems. My professional business roles comprise Technical Account Management, Sales and Marketing, HR Recruiting and Finance. I am the co-founder of the Mama Bears of Catawba County and a long-time member of Lakeview Baptist Church where I am currently a church service volunteer for our preschool/toddler class.

About Me:

My husband Mark and I have been married for 34 years. Mark has an Architectural Technology Degree and is employed as a Business Sales Rep for Catawba Valley Building Supply. We have three beautiful daughters (Ashley, Brooke & Candace), and we have been blessed with five precious grandchildren. Ashley will graduate from Liberty University in December 2024 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Developmental Psychology. In my leisure time, I enjoy exercising and being outdoors, attending all types of entertaining events, spending time with family, and fun family vacations.

Member, April Underwood

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Joined Board:

I was elected to the board in 2024, which means I will be eligible for re-election in 2028.

Education and Experience:

I am a 1992 graduate of Ledford High School in Davidson County, North Carolina. I earned my Associate in Applied Science in Nursing from Davidson-Davie Community College in 2004 and became a Registered Nurse. I am Board Certified as a Holistic Nurse and an Integrative Nurse Coach, specializing in helping clients achieve wellness through diet and lifestyle changes. Currently, I am self-employed as a Nurse Coach and am furthering my education by enrolling in a Functional Medicine Practitioner Course to deepen my expertise in holistic health.

About Me:

I was born and raised in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and moved to Hickory in 2005. I am married to Brent, who is originally from Indiana and a graduate of Vincennes University with a degree in Electronics. Brent is self-employed, offering automation and process control services to local businesses. Together, we have a blended family of seven children, six of whom graduated from Fred T. Foard High School. We still have our 13-year-old daughter at home, and we are blessed with three beautiful granddaughters. As a proud military family, we have two sons serving in the Army. My faith in Jesus is a cornerstone of my life, and we are active members of Christ Alive Church in Newton. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family, crafting, attending concerts, traveling to new places, camping, and gardening. I am also a passionate St. Louis Cardinals fan—I love baseball!

Board Attorney, Crystal Davis

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Education:

Undergraduate - B.A., Economics and Political Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Doctorate Degree - J.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law

Experience:

I have practiced law for 27 years. I began my career as a general civil litigator including family law, estate law, contract law and corporate law. I began representing Catawba County Schools in 2003.

Why did you join CCS?

I am a lifelong resident of Catawba County and am a product of Catawba County Schools. I had the pleasure of having wonderful teachers throughout elementary, middle and high school. I am grateful for the opportunity to be of assistance to the institution that prepared me so well for higher education.