Rockingham school board chooses candidate

        The Rockingham County Board of Education has chosen Nicole Crews Penn of Stoneville from a pool of 13 applicants to fill a vacant at-large seat.

        Board members remarked at the strength of each applicant, but independently rated Penn highest and unanimously approved recommending her for the position.

        The Rockingham County Board of Commissioners now has the task of approving the school board’s choice. Commissioners originally asked the school board to suggest three applicants, but the school board selected one. Discussion of appointing Penn may happen at the commissioners next meeting Sept. 22.

        Penn has four children in the Rockingham County school system, operates her own business consulting firm, and is active in her church and community. She serves on the board of directors for Rockingham County Help for the Homeless and the Rockingham County Business and Technology Center. She is a former assistant vice president of Lincoln Financial Group. Penn is an adjunct professor at National College in Martinsville, Va., while working on her doctorate at Walden University.