WINTON – Ron Baker says the time has come to step aside.

Baker, an Ahoskie attorney who has spent more than a decade in helping to shape public education in Hertford County, has announced he will not seek reelection to the county’s Board of Education. His term ends in November.

“I’ve spent 12 years on the board and before that I served four years as a (Hertford County) commissioner,” Baker said during a telephone interview on Thursday with the Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald. “Sixteen years in public service is plenty. The time has come to step aside.”

Baker, who currently serves as the school board chairman, said he enjoyed his years of public service.

“My time has passed,” he noted. “It’s time for a younger person to lead, perhaps one that has children enrolled here in our public school system.”

Baker added that he wanted to make public his intentions not to seek another term in office in order to encourage others to file. The filing period for the school board ends at 12 noon on Friday, Aug. 6. Those wishing to file can visit the Hertford County Board of Elections during normal hours on weekdays.

While Baker has opted to step aside, that is not the case for another Hertford County Board of Education incumbent as Dennis Deloatch has filed for reelection. Deloatch formerly served as the county’s school superintendent.

The local school board’s longest serving member, John Horton, has yet to file.

Meanwhile, three others have entered the race for the trio of seats up for election in November.

Marcus Williams, George W. Holley and Shelia J. Porter, all of Murfreesboro, will see their respective names on the school board ballot.

Williams previously ran unsuccessfully for the school board.

Porter is no stranger to public education in Hertford County. She is the retired principal of Hertford County Middle School. Porter was also a member of the Hertford County Board of Elections, a position she resigned from on July 27, the same day she filed for school board.