She stepped down from the Portsmouth School Board, but now she’s back — temporarily

Portsmouth — The Portsmouth School Board selected long-time member Costella Williams to temporarily fill a vacant seat.

Williams, who just wrapped up 12 years on the board, didn’t run for re-election last fall. But she and 10 others applied for the seat left empty by former board member De’Andre Barnes’ election to City Council.

The board publicly interviewed three of the 11 applicants: Williams; Angelia Allen, another former board member who lost her re-election bid; and Alvin Payne, an investment banker with Atlantic Union Bank.

“I’m excited about coming back,” Williams told the board. “I thought I was gone, but if you guys will have me back, there’s a lot of work to do.”

The board voted 6-1 for Williams, with most members citing her experience as the deciding factor. Sarah Duncan Hinds, who cast the lone “no” vote, said she did so because she thought the appointment should go to someone who campaigned in the last election and “wanted to be here.”

“Mrs. Williams did want to step away,” Hinds said.

Other board members said Williams’ application to fill the seat temporarily indicated her willingness to serve.

She was sworn in Wednesday morning and will serve until a special election in November. Williams didn’t say whether she’ll run in that election.

Sara Gregory, 757-469-7484, sara.gregory@pilotonline.com