School board accepts Lynn’s appointment
Robbinsville – Short, sweet and to the point, Tuesday’s special-called Graham County Board of Education meeting served as more of a formality.
In the wake of Debra “Hank” Dinschel’s abrupt exit March 27, the local GOP quickly jumped into action and produced a nominee to fill the vacant seat just nine days later: Anthony “Andy” Lynn, a lifelong resident Graham County and flight paramedic.
State statute requires that the party affiliated with a vacated seat nominate the successor. All in attendance Tuesday were welcoming of Lynn, as he took his seat at the all-Republican table immediately after being sworn in by Graham County Clerk of Court Tammy Holloway.
His appointment to the board preceded Holloway administering the oath of office and was a resounding, unanimous nod in Lynn’s favor.
“We feel with his military and public service experience – as well as his commitment to training our youth, Andy brings an ability to quickly evaluate, assess and make a sound judgment decision on matters appearing before the board,” reads a portion of an April 6 release from the county GOP, which touted Lynn’s selection. “Along with his Christian faith, we believe he will bring genuine care and concern to this position.
“His servant’s heart and willingness to accept this role in short order speak volumes about his character and love for Graham County.”
Lynn’s resume includes time spent working for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and Graham County Emergency Management Services. He has been employed by Erlanger Life Force Aeromedical Services since September 2022.
Lynn holds an Associate’s of Applied Science – with a concentration in Emergency Medical Science – from Tri-County Community College.
He served in the North Carolina Army National Guard from 1991-2005, with the 210th Military Police Company in the Murphy detachment. While in service, he worked disasters such as floods, hurricanes and was actively assisting during the famed “Blizzard of ’93.”
Additionally, Lynn was deployed to Baghdad, Iraq to serve as a military policeman from February 2003 – June 2004.
Lynn and his wife Cheri have two sons, Justin and Ryan; the couple has also collaboratively coached the Robbinsville Shooting Team since 2014. Lynn is a NRA-certified pistol instructor; N.C. Wildlife Hunters Safety Course instructor; and a N.C. Department of Justice Concealed Carry Handgun instructor.
Dinschel’s 64-word resignation letter cited health issues as her primary reason for leaving the board just 17 months into her first term.
Other news & notes
* Superintendent Angie Knight presented the board with a list of questions that will be asked during interviews for her successor. Knight announced her retirement earlier this year, effective July 1. The questions were developed in collaboration with temporary board attorney John Henning; Knight noted that staff throughout the district will also be surveyed via email about the opening. Applicants for the position will be interviewed in closed session Monday, May 6; the board’s next regularly-scheduled meeting is Tuesday, May 7.
* Nikki Gibbs was unanimously approved as Graham County Schools’ new finance director. Gibbs will be stepping into a role held by Robbinsville High alum Lester Greene, who is retiring after serving as the system’s finance director since 2005.