The Guilford County Board of Education announced today that its District 1 representative, Christopher Gillespie, resigned earlier today after learning that his home address, 4305 La Vera Street in High Point, is not within the District 1 boundaries. Only citizens who live within District 1 are eligible to represent that district on the school board.

“This was simply an innocent mistake on my part,” said Gillespie. “I mistakenly assumed that because I live in the Andrews High School attendance area, that I also lived in District 1. A map I reviewed seemed to confirm this. I regret and apologize for the error, and any inconvenience this might cause the Board, and my fellow citizens in High Point.”

Gillespie was sworn in on Dec. 18 to fill the vacancy left by J. Carlvena Foster, who was elected to the Guilford County Board of Commissioners in November. The unexpired term expires in Dec. 2016.

Candidates seeking to fill unexpired school board terms are asked to verify their electoral districts with the Guilford County Board of Election, and include a statement to that effect in their applications to the school board.

Board of Education Chairman Alan Duncan said the board will discuss the District 1 vacancy and determine whether to make any procedural changes at its next regularly scheduled meeting, which is on April 14. 

“It’s very important to us that we have full representation from the High Point area,” said Duncan. “We will work to improve our process while still moving forward in an expeditious manner so District 1 is represented on the board.”