BY KARISSA MILLER
The Iredell-Statesville Schools Board of Education welcomed back a familiar face on Monday night.
Cindy Haynes, a former board member, was sworn in as the District 3 representative on Monday afternoon ahead of the 6 p.m. board meeting. After being nominated by the Iredell County Republican Party, she was selected to complete the term of Abby Trent, who resigned in April.
Iredell County Clerk of Superior Court Jim Mixson presided over the swearing-in ceremony as Haynes took the oath of office.
During the ceremony, Haynes came up to the stage, raised her right hand and promised to “faithfully support and maintain” local, state and federal laws. She also promised to faithfully discharge the duties of the office to the best of her abilities and knowledge.
Immediately following the swearing-in ceremony, Haynes was selected as the vice chair.
“I’m excited to be appointed to the vacancy. I hope I do a good job for my constituency and with the rest of the board and most of all for the district,” said Haynes, who previously worked for I-SS as a nurse for Exceptional Children.
Haynes, who was elected in 2014, served three years as District 3 board member before resigning in 2017 due to a job transfer. In 2021, she retired from her position with the State of North Carolina.
She has served on executive committee of the Iredell County Republican Party for the last two years.
During her previous time on the school board, she advocated for students and school nurses and was instrumental in making sure that the district’s low-performing schools received additional funding to help students receive additional resources.
“When the vacancy came open, I felt that was my sign,” Haynes explained. “I enjoyed it before. I learned the rules, the policies and I felt like when I left, I had a good relationship with all those board members and I really missed it.”
She said that she missed hearing from classroom teachers in her district. She looks forward to being a resource for them.
Haynes said she is aware of some of the challenges the board has faced over the year with public perception, leadership and decision making.
“I am one of seven. If I hold myself with the integrity of what a school board member should be and know the policies and be able to advocate for the schools, classroom teachers and students, that’s a worthy goal. If we have that focus, we should be able to get along,” Haynes explained.