By Karissa Minn
kminn@salisburypost.com
SALISBURY – Linda Anders Freeze is no longer seeking re-election to the Rowan-Salisbury Board of Education.
“A personal situation requires that I withdraw my name as a candidate for the Southeast Seat,” she wrote in an email to a Post reporter Monday evening. “I leave my district, as well as the entire county, in excellent hands. Many thanks to all my supporters during these past eight years.”
Freeze did not return phone calls from the Post by press time Tuesday.
Rowan County Elections Director Nancy Evans confirmed Tuesday afternoon that Freeze has withdrawn from the race. Her notice to the elections office was postmarked Monday, just one month after she filed on July 20.
Freeze, 63, of 1607 Safrit Road in Salisbury, is a retired educator and the current after-school director at Kidsports in Salisbury. She is serving her second term as the southeast area representative on the school board.
Two other candidates, Lynn Marsh and Susan Cox, have filed to run for that seat. Both said they just learned Tuesday that Freeze was no longer in the running.
“I feel like, of course, it’s an easier race with an incumbent not in it,” said Cox, a retired teacher. “I hope that everything is well for her, good for her, and I wish her the best.”
Marsh, principal of W.R. Odell Elementary School in Cabarrus County, also said she thinks Freeze’s withdrawal improves her own election chances.
“I was surprised, but I’m sure there’s a good reason,” Marsh said. “I wish her well, and I know she’s done a lot of years of service for the school system.”
Jim Emerson, the school board’s current chair, said Freeze is a wise woman who will be sorely missed.
“She’s been an active participant in every meeting. I don’t think she missed one,” Emerson said. “I’m really sorry she’s not running again, but I certainly understand her decision.”
Vice Chair Jean Kennedy said she also will miss Freeze on the board.
“She always had clearly thought out and level-headed responses, and she would address issues in a knowledgeable way,” Kennedy said. “She’s definitely a good advocate for our children and our school system.”
Filing for the Rowan-Salisbury Board of Education began July 20 and ended Aug. 17. The following candidates are running for seats on the school board:
Seat 3 (East)
• James W. “Jim” Emerson, incumbent, of 1540 Panther Point Road in Richfield.
• Michael S. Lambe, of 2355 Morgan Road in Gold Hill.
• Josh Wagner, of 209 Phillip Drive in Salisbury.
Seat 5 (Salisbury)
• Bryce Beard, incumbent, of 1617 Emerald St. in Salisbury.
• Quentin Woodward, Jr., of 1017 Locke St. in Salisbury.
• Constance (Connie) Johnson, of 211 Wiltshire Village in Salisbury.
• Chuck Hughes, of 130 Camelot Road in Salisbury.
Seat 7 (Southeast)
• Lynn G. Marsh, of 704 Brookfield Circle in Salisbury.
• Susan H. Cox, of 2410 Hill Top Drive in Salisbury.
Contact reporter Karissa Minn at 704-797-4222.
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