JACKSON – Five candidates presented their qualifications while vying to be newest member of the Northampton County Board of Education at a regular meeting on Monday.

In the end it was Doris Lassiter who was chosen for the coveted seat.

After hearing from each of the five candidates, board of education members voted on ballots and placed them with Board Attorney Rod Malone, who counted the results.

“Wow, even I can count this,” Malone joked before calling the vote unanimous for Lassiter.

Lassiter is a 30-year veteran of education and received her undergraduate degree from Elizabeth City State University and her graduate degree in early childhood from the University of North Carolina.

She retired last year from Northampton County Schools, she was a teacher at Seaboard Coates Elementary School and then Central Elementary School prior to retiring.

In her speech to the board, Lassiter stated her main purpose for her desire to be on the board was students and their learning.

She also stated during her years as a teacher she considered students in her classroom not just children, but her children.

Northampton County Clerk of Court Michelle V. Spruill was on hand to swear in Lassiter, who took her seat on the board after the oath of office was taken.

Former board member Barbara Stephenson, who resigned in June, congratulated Lassiter later in the meeting.

Stephenson stepped down to take a principal position at Wills Hare Elementary School in Pendleton.

In August, Board of Education Chairwoman Catherine Moody announced the board would be taking letters of interests from Northampton County citizens regarding the position.

Other candidates for the seat included Andre Rowe, former board member Lafayette Majette, Lori Burgess and Arnetha Garner.