Coin toss to decide Thomasville School Board tie-breaker

The Davidson County Board of Elections will meet Tuesday, December 5 at 1:30 p.m. at the Board Office located at 945 N Main St, Suite A, Lexington.

Items on the agenda will include the Thomasville City School Board of Education tiebreaker between Renee Dow and Ja’Quez D. Taylor as well as any other business pertaining to the election process. Board meetings are open to the public.

Beginning with the election in November, 2023, Thomasville City School Board of Education members were elected by the citizens of the city. This is the first time Thomasville City School Board of Education members were elected. Up until this point, school board members were appointed by the Thomasville City Council, but that changed when a law passed earlier this year by the N.C. General Assembly.

State statutes determined that the top three vote-getters were set to receive four-year terms with one to receive a two-year term. “For the 2023 election, two members shall be elected to a two-year term and three members shall be elected to serve a four-year term. The three candidates receiving the highest number of votes shall be elected to serve a four-year term. The two candidates receiving the next highest number of votes shall be elected to a two-year term.”

Those qualifying for the full term include Wendy Sellars and Nancy Stanton. In a rare turn of events, Renee Dow and Ja’Quez D. Taylor both received 591 votes creating a tie. Tiffany Baluka-Brannon received 533 votes ensuring a slot in the two-year term category.

“Normally this wouldn’t matter,” said Davidson County Board of Elections director. “With this being the first elected board, the state requires that the board ‘cast lots.’ That could be drawing a straw or a coin toss.” Andrew Richards assured they are all “elected” and that this doesn’t impact the results of the election. “The school board just needs to know their terms for clerical purposes before swearing them in later that day.” 

Shortly before the election it was reported that Taylor, 28, of 609 Brookdale Dr, Thomasville, was charged with one count of felony obtaining property under false pretenses. Court dates are still being determined.

If convicted of the felony, it is presumed the newly elected school board member would have to resign. According to the state constitution, “Any person who has been adjudged guilty of treason or any other felony against this State or the United States” shall be disqualified from holding any elected office. 

Taylor declined to respond. The Thomasville native continues to garner community support for his work in educational reform for the Bulldog Nation. 

The results of the coin toss will be announced and newly elected board members will be sworn in on Tuesday, Dec. 5 at 6:30 p.m. 406 Unity St, Thomasville on YouTube LiveStream.