JACKSON – Three Northampton County Board of Education members have said their final farewells.

On Monday night, Board of Education Chairwoman Catherine Moody and Board members Roland Whitted and Doris Lassiter were recognized for service to Northampton County Schools.

Moody and Whitted are exiting the board after they were defeated in their bids for re-election during the primary election in May. Lassiter did not file for re-election.

Vice Chair Bill Little presented each of his parting colleagues with a clock for appreciation of their time served on the board.

“Anytime we are doing the public’s business, you’re going to have change,” said Little. “It takes place as in any (government) entity.”

Little honored Lassiter, first noting though she had only served on the board since October of last year, her input had been appreciated.

Lassiter was chosen to replace previous board member Barbara Stephens after she left to become principal at Willis-Hare Elementary School in Pendleton.

Moody was on the board eight years, six of which she served as chairwoman.

“You keep us in line,” said Little of Moody’s service. “I don’t think I’ve heard an uglier sounding gavel than yours.”

Moody said she still plans on being involved with the school system.

“I’m still an advocate for children and citizens,” she said to the audience.

Little noted Whitted had served the county in an educational capacity for 29 years, beginning first as a teacher, then moving on to administrator, then superintendent and finally as a board member.

Whitted’s work with the board began 12 years ago.

Whitted thanked the citizens for letting him served them for so long and promised he too would still be vocal in topics concerning children.

“I’ll still be speaking on behalf of children everywhere, especially in Northampton County,” he said.

At the Board’s next meeting on Monday, July 7, newcomers Erica Ingram and Marjorie Edwards as well as past board member Lafayette “Lott” Majette will be sworn into the vacant seats.