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, Jeff Taylor

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Joined Board:

I was elected to the board in 2020, which means I will be eligible for re-election in 2024.

Education and Experience:

I am a product of the Caldwell County School system and a 1979 graduate of Hibriten High School in Lenoir. I graduated from UNC Charlotte with a BA in History and certification as a 7-12 Social Studies teacher. I completed my MA in School Administration from Gardner-Webb University in 2001. In 1984, I had the good fortune of being hired by Catawba County Schools as a social studies teacher at Bunker Hill High School, where I taught until 2000. I transitioned from the classroom to administration when I served as assistant principal at Bunker Hill from 2000-2002. In 2002, I became principal first at H. M. Arndt Middle School, then Bunker Hill, and finally at St. Stephens High School. In 2015, I retired from public school and took a position as Dean of Students and Director of Athletics at University Christian High School on the campus of Lenoir-Rhyne University, a position I still hold. I also teach civics and coach the UCHS track and field and cross country teams.

About Me:

I grew up in the historic Happy Valley section of Caldwell County on a farm on the banks of the Yadkin River. The oldest of five children, I developed a love of the outdoors and of sports. While at UNC Charlotte, I met Valerie Godwin, and we were married in 1985. Valerie spent her entire career in healthcare working as both a labor and delivery nurse and later a certified nurse-midwife. We are the parents of two amazing daughters Erin and Anna, both proud alumni of Catawba County Schools. I still enjoy the outdoors, both hiking and running along with playing as much golf as time will allow. I remain a lifelong Cincinnati Reds fan, but my childhood allegiance to the Minnesota Vikings and Boston Celtics have been replaced by the Carolina Panthers and the Charlotte Hornets. I have lived in Catawba County since 1984 and, although not my county of birth, it is my home. I love the area, and I have made a career of service to students and families during my time here.

Vice Chair, Annette Y. Richards

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Joined Board:

I was elected to the Board in 2020 and will be eligible for re-election in 2024.

Education and Experience:

I graduated from East Burke High School in Burke County and have lived in Catawba County for over 30 years. I have taken many continuing education classes at CVCC. While working for the afterschool program for over 10 years, I earned my Early Childhood Credentials in May of 2012. I have been involved with St. Stephens Optimist for over 30 years, from volunteering to coaching to now being the Softball director. My husband and I own a business, S&A Sports, which I run, handling scheduling, payroll, insurance, website design, PR, and working closely with county and city parks and recreation departments.

About Me:

I am the mother of two sons, Curtis & Cody, who both went to St. Stephens High School. I have one grandson who just turned 3. I am a member of Sandy Ridge Baptist Church, where I love working at our vacation bible school. My husband, Scott, and I own our own ballpark, and I run our business S&A Sports, which books officials and runs baseball, adult slow-pitch, and fastpitch tournaments/leagues. I am the current Babe Ruth District softball commissioner and NC NSA Co-State Director of fastpitch. I grew up on ball fields, and I truly love being at the ballparks, so much so that I was married on the ball field. On days when we are not at our park, we are watching other athletes play. We are not only building athletes, we are building adults for the future.

Member, Ronn Abernathy

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Joined Board:

I have served on the Board since 2012.

Education and Experience:

I was a member of the last class to graduate Maiden Elementary School in 1967, and I went on to attend Maiden High School, where I had the honor of playing football for Coach Tom Brown. I received my B.A. from Tennessee Temple in 1978 and my Masters from Dallas Theological Seminary in 1981. Following the completion of a two-year clinical residency at Baptist Hospital in Columbia, SC, I went on to pursue a career with the NC Department of Public Safety in the Juvenile Justice Division, where I have now served for 26 years. I have been the Chief Court Counselor of the 25th Judicial District for 20 years.

About Me:

While I was born and raised in Catawba County, where I have lived much of my life, I also have lived in Dallas, Texas; Columbia, SC; and Raleigh, NC. When not working, I enjoy hiking, biking, water sports, and spending time with my fur child, Tonnie. I believe in equality for 'all' people and I strive to treat others with dignity and respect. I will forever be thankful for the opportunity bestowed upon me by the great folks of Catawba County to serve in this capacity as a member of the board of education.

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, 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.

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.

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.