School Board bids farewell to outgoing members

Published 5:11 am Thursday, December 17, 2015

Three outgoing Charlotte County School board members were recognized for their service to the school division and community during the board’s December meeting.

Bernadine Lockett Johnson, Brette Arbogast and Ned Locke were given tokens of appreciation for their dedication to the board.

“It has been an honor to work with this school board,” said Division Superintendent Dr. Nancy Leonard. “I feel so fortunate and I know I speak for so many employees in the school division and … our administrative team and office staff. We have such a good board that works together so well.”

Division Superintendent Dr. Nancy Leonard presents outgoing school board member Brette Arbogast with a small gift for his service.

Division Superintendent Dr. Nancy Leonard presents outgoing school board member Brette Arbogast with a small gift for his service.

According to Leonard, Johnson served the school board from June 2014 until December 2015. She fulfilled a mid-term vacancy for the Bacon-Saxe District. “Although my stay was short lived, it was an enjoyable term to serve … It has been a learning experience … I will continue to do whatever is needed to make sure our children are served,” said Johnson.

Outgoing member Brette Arbogast served as a school board member from January 2012 until December 2015, giving four years of service for the Charlotte Court House and County Seat District, said Leonard. “I left here with a heavy heart when I left Charlotte County Public Schools,” Arbogast said.

“It was my home. I loved the school system, loved the people in this county. I got on the school board to put Charlotte County back to where it was 10-15 years ago,” he said. “With everybody here I can tell you, they’re there. It’s a good administration, a good school board, good principals, everybody. You guys do an awesome job, and I thank you as a soon to be community member for bringing Charlotte County back to where it was years ago.”

Leonard also presented outgoing Board chairman Ned Locke with two gifts of appreciation. Leonard said Locke served on the school board from February 1985 until December 2015, giving a total of over 30 years to the Drakes Branch District.

Locke also served as Chairman for four years, said Leonard.

Ned Locke shows off his outgoing token of appreciation presented by Division Superintendent Nancy Leonard at the December school board meeting.

Ned Locke shows off his outgoing token of appreciation presented by Division Superintendent Nancy Leonard at the December school board meeting.

“I just want to say, after 30 years it’s hard to walk away from all of this. Obviously I’m disappointed, but Mrs. [Gloria] Talbott is one of, I think, about four people in this world I could lose an election to and not be upset about,” said Locke.

“It’s been a good run, we’ve done a lot, I think. We’ve had good boards. We’ve got a good administration and I’m proud to have been a part of it and grateful for the opportunity that has been provided to me for the last 30 years and 10 months. I know that’ll continue with Mrs. Talbott because she has a heart for our students,” Locke said.

New board members Talbott, JonPaul Berkeley and Larry Fannon will assume their seats on the school board next month.