Three New School Board Members Elected for Charlotte

 Charlotte County voters spoke loud and clear Tuesday night electing three new members to the county’s school board.

Larry Fannon, who was running unopposed for the school board’s county seat district, will be one of three new members. Fannon received 254 votes. Brette Arbogast currently holds this position but did not seek reelection.

Other newcomers include former R-HHS Principal Gloria Talbott. Talbott sought the Drakes Branch District’s seat against longtime member T.E. “Ned” Locke, Jr, Talbott won over Locke with close to 60 percent of the votes with 218 to 147 votes.

Following the election Talbott said, “I will do my best in this new chapter of my life as a member of the Charlotte County School Board.”

Current Bacon-Saxe District board member Bernadine Lockett-Johnson also lost her seat against JonPaul Hall Berkley. Berkley received 60 percent of the vote with 220 votes to Lockett’s 146.

The only other school board seat up for reelection was that of the Cullen-Red House District. Henry W. “Buzzy” Carwile, Jr., who currently holds the seat was unopposed and received 188 votes.

On Wednesday, school superintendent, Nancy Leonard added that she is looking forward to working with the three new members and thanked the current members for their leadership and support. “Gloria Talbott and Larry Fannon have long and successful careers in education and are known for their advocacy and love of education and children. Jon Berkley is a parent and businessman and is invested in the success of the school system. I feel strongly that we are going to continue to have a very strong school board. Outgoing School Board members Ned Locke, Bernadine Johnson, and Brette Arbogast have been positive influences on the School Board and have provided solid leadership and support for the students and staff. Their support of the students and employees of Charlotte County Public Schools is so greatly appreciated.”