IFN Staff
The Iredell-Statesville Schools Board of Education is planning to fill the vacant District 2 seat at its next regular meeting.
The I-SS Board’s acting chair, however, does not believe that the Board it is required to appoint Matthew Youngblood, the Statesville Christian school teacher who was tapped for the seat by members of the Iredell County Republican Party Executive Committee.
In a letter to the Iredell GOP, I-SS Board Acting Chair Doug Knight asserted that the Executive Committee did not follow a statutory requirement for selecting its nominee to fill the seat vacated by District 2 representative Kevin Angell in January. Angell, who also served as Board chair, resigned following an altercation with I-SS Board member Mike Kubiniec following an earlier meeting.
The GOP Executive Committee considered five applicants for the vacancy, and its members voted to select Youngblood as their nominee.
The I-SS Board deadlocked 3-3 on a motion to appoint Youngblood to fill the seat during its March meeting. Board member Rhonda Hoke, who represents District 4, raised concerns during that meeting about whether the GOP Executive Committee had followed the proper procedure when it selected Youngblood.
In his letter to the Iredell GOP, Knight wrote that the Executive Committee did not restrict voting to committee members “who represent precincts all or part of which were within the territory of the vacating board member.” As a result, the acting chair said, the I-SS Board is not required to follow the GOP’s selection.
“The Board will pursue a process to fill the District 2 vacancy in accordance with applicable law,” Knight wrote. “The individual selected may be Mr. Youngblood or any other qualified member of District 2.”
The I-SS Board is scheduled to meet on Monday, April 13, at the Career Academy & Technical School in Troutman.
Related
Letter
Why would anyone that doesn’t have any ties to the school system wnat to serve on the school board this bad? Why do you care to serve on a board for a system that isnt good enough for your own kids? Sounds to me like he has other motives or is being driven by the same master as others.
Think about that statement. It gives the corrupt who lead the GOP in Iredell power. They are drunk on power and taking over the county.
It’s worth stepping back from assumptions about background and focusing on what a school board member is actually expected to do. The law requires that a board member be a qualified resident of the district—not that they have children in the system or come from a particular professional or ideological background. Many effective board members across the country have served without having children currently enrolled.
In this case, being a science teacher—regardless of the type of school—means he has direct, day-to-day experience with curriculum, student engagement, classroom management, and the challenges educators face. That kind of perspective can be valuable on a board that makes decisions affecting teachers and students.
His background as a Marine also suggests leadership, discipline, and a commitment to public service—qualities that are relevant to governance, even if they’re not tied to education policy specifically.
As for experience, every board member starts somewhere. Prior service can be valuable, but it shouldn’t be the only measure of who is qualified. Boards benefit from a mix of experience and fresh perspective, especially when facing complex or evolving challenges.
Ultimately, the question shouldn’t be whether someone fits a preferred profile—it should be whether they are qualified, willing to serve, and capable of contributing thoughtfully to decisions that affect the entire district.
My only master is Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, and my only motive is to follow a life of servant-leadership as exemplified by Christ. I have direct “ties”, as all of us do, to all students in this county to maximize their potential to the fullest extent possible for the greater good of our nation. I believe we have a good school system with some great teachers, staff, and leadership at all levels. We all agree it can always get better, and I bring my work ethic, determination, and leadership to achieve that end. I have lived a life of service to others, and I only seek to continue that service in another way. God Bless and Semper Fidelis.
What’s missing from this coverage is that the acting chair’s claim rests on a specific interpretation of “members who represent precincts” that has not been formally adopted by the full board. The 3–3 deadlock shows there is a real legal disagreement—not a clear statutory violation.
The article also omits key context about how the GOP Executive Committee conducted its vote. Without that, it frames a contested interpretation as a settled failure.
At minimum, the public deserves clarity on both readings of the statute and why this interpretation surfaced only after a nominee was selected.
It’s my understanding that a room full of witnesses can testify to the fact that only exec members in D2 voted for this seat. Doug Knight does not explain how he believes it should have been done and how that compares to how the vote was done for Cindy Haynes when she replaced Abby Trent.
I would be willing to bet that if Mr. Charles Kelly had received the most votes, he would have been accepted and sworn in already because they only want someone they can control.
It will be difficult to fill a politically divided board seat with an even number of board members. If the statute is clear the seat must be filled by the GOP, it should.
Think about why a non-public school person would want to be on the public school board. It simply is the GOP leadership headed by the “moms of Liberty, ” and Captain that seeks to take over every facet of Iredell County. The most corrupt Republican Party I have ever seen.
Little paranoid?😂
Exactly!
School choice where the money follows every child improves education for all our kids and makes schools competitive. A private school perspective can benefit our students!
Amen!
More of the same non-stop ISS Board drama!
It is of utmost importance that this and all matters be handled correctly. We hold our School Board fully accountable to US — The People — for their actions in this and every ruling they make. We hold their service in high regard, for their given authority and responsibility in our community is weighty. Transparency is primary to ensure the goal of a sound education is being achieved — all for the purpose of aiding our children’s growth as free and productive citizens of our city, county and, therefore, our great state and nation.
May Almighty God help US, and bless our current and future School Boards with wisdom, integrity and courage. God Bless US All.
A simple refutation of Mr. Knight’s claim is to prove that each member of the GOP executive committee who voted for Mr. Youngblood indeed lives in and represents district two of Iredell County.
The interesting question is why doesn’t Knight and Superintendent James want conservative Youngblood on the school board?