The announcement of two new appointees to the NC State Board of Education sort of flew under the radar yesterday, eclipsed by the NBA/NCGA  antics on HB2.

Senate Joint Resolution 902 created confirmation of two appointments to the NC State Board of Education by the Governor. The resolution names the appointees:

“The appointments of James Todd Chasteen and Amy Bannister White to membership on the State Board of Education for terms to expire March 31, 2023, are confirmed.”

The Resolution passed, 110-1.

The lone “No” vote was Rep. Chris Sgro.  Sgro is also the Executive Director for Equality NC. Perhaps Srgro was confused since the resolution had a “2” in it. Sgro is arguably the only General Assembly member actively using his position at the legislature to further the agenda of his non-profit, but the media seems uninterested in pursuing that.

Apparently, Chasteen will be filling a current vacancy on the board. Ms. White will be taking over for current board member Kevin Howell.

There has been no indication of when the Governor will replace Chair Bill Cobey, who has come under fire by conservatives for lack of leadership. In particular, the unquestioned compliance with the education wishes of Superintendent Atkinson such as Common Core.

There isn’t a ton of  information on these two out there, but here is what I found so far.

About James Todd Chasteen
He is an attorney from the Watauga county who often can be found going by J. Todd Chasteen.

Chasteen currently is the corporate counsel at Samaritan’s Purse. ( Franklin Graham’s Christian international relief organization).

He is a graduate of James Madison University.

His wife’s name is Kim. She runs a private Christian school called Grace Academy, which serves grades K-8.

The Left leaning Policy Watch is upset because Chasteen supported a book being removed from a reading list at Watauga High. The book was not banned, as Policy Watch would have you believed, it was removed from a reading list for sophomores as it contained violent content such as rape, incest and torture.

About Amy Bannister White
White was appointed by Governor McCrory to the NC Commission of Volunteerism and Community Service in 2013.

From 2006 to 2010, White  worked in economic development and membership recruitment for the Garner Chamber of Commerce.

White served on the Wake County School Board from 2001 to 2005.