WAKE COUNTY, N.C. -- Wake County's school board swore in its newest chair and a board member Tuesday evening, but before, they discussed what to do with an additional school board seat that remains empty.

• Wake County School Board member dies
• Kathy Hartenstine posthumously won her re-election to the school board last month.
• The work session is the first step for board members to determine whether to appoint that applicant or go in a different direction.

Wake County School Board member Kathy Hartenstine died in September. Hartenstine posthumously won her re-election to the school board last month, which meant the board had to field applications for a replacement in District 7.

However, only one person, former state representative Chris Heagerty, turned in their application before the deadline. The work session is the first step for board members to determine whether to appoint that applicant or go in a different direction.

"I like following the policy and the procedure, because that usually works out, but the timing of all of this is so problematic," said board member Donald Agee.

Members say they will consider him for the job and will proceed with an interview for Heagerty later this month.

The process is sadly familiar to the board. Hartenstine herself was appointed to her seat after Zora Felton passed away during her term two years ago.