ASHEBORO - At the November meeting of the Asheboro City Board of Education, the Board recognized outgoing board members Mr. Archie Priest, Jr. and Mr. Art Martinez. Mr. Martinez retires from the Board after serving since April 2020, and Mr. Priest retires after 18 years of service.
Mr. Art Martinez
The Asheboro City Board of Education welcomed Mr. Martinez during a swearing-in ceremony led by Chairman of the Randolph County Commissioners, Mr. Darryl Frye, on Tuesday, April 7, 2020. Mr. Martinez was appointed to fill the board vacancy of Mrs. Joyce Harrington, who resigned in February of 2020.
During his time serving on this Board, Mr. Martinez has helped guide the district as its managed the COVID-19 global pandemic. He has made sound decisions regarding the safety and well-being of district students and staff, while also continuing to be a well-respected leader in the greater Asheboro community. Superintendent Aaron Woody said, “Mr. Martinez attended community events as a representative of the Board, and he has coordinated a variety of events that show his generosity and commitment to our students, families, and stakeholders. He has modelled enthusiasm and advocacy for students and teachers in the Asheboro City Schools district. We are grateful for the time Mr. Martinez has spent on the Board and our doors will be open to him always.”
As a token of the district’s appreciation, the book by Sean Covey titled, “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Leaders,” will be donated in Mr. Martinez’s honor to the media center at Asheboro High School.
Mr. Archie Priest, Jr
For nearly two decades, Mr. Archie Priest has faithfully served as a member of the Asheboro City Board of Education. He has served three six-year terms - 18 years in total. He was first elected in November of 2003 and sworn in at the December 2003 meeting. In his time, the district has been met with challenges and even more opportunities for advancement.
If there is one thing that has remained consistent, it’s been our board’s commitment to educational excellence and bettering the lives of ALL students. In 18 years, its safe to say Mr. Priest has impacted well over 10,000 students and at least over 1,500 staff. His impact has made an immeasurable difference.
During his tenure as a board member, the first class was inducted into the Asheboro High School Athletic Hall of Fame which included legends like Lee J. Stone, Larry Bulla, and Don Redding. A year later in 2005, Asheboro City Schools celebrated 100 years of service to the Asheboro community with a number of Centennial events commemorating this accomplishment. Two years after that, a partnership with Asheboro High School and the North Carolina Zoo became a reality - the Asheboro Zoo School - a small-learning community for students particularly interested in the sciences. In 2011, Asheboro City Schools became one of the first school districts in North Carolina to put devices into the hands of all students (3-12) and SmartBoards in every single classroom. And in the last decade, his leadership with the Board of Education has led to the creation and implementation of the Dual Language Immersion program (now in its sixth year), the restoration of one of the county’s oldest buildings - the Female Academy, capital improvement projects to just about every single building in the district, plus the largest construction project with the addition to and complete renovation of Asheboro High School.
The district will honor Mr. Priest’s legacy by donating the book, “A Teen’s Game Plan for Life,” by Lou Holtz to the media center at Asheboro High School.
New Board Members
Newly-elected board members, Adam Hurley and Hailey Trollinger Lee, will be sworn in at the December 2021 meeting, scheduled for Thursday, December 9 at 7:30 p.m. in the media center at South Asheboro Middle School.
###