One of the strongest advocates for students in Columbus County has died.
Monte Herring, 67, died Monday at McLeod Loris Hospital after a brief illness. The Cerro Gordo resident previously worked with Brunswick Electric Cooperative.
“Mr. Herring was a treasured member of his church and community, beloved by his family and friends, and a tireless champion for education in our system,” the county school board said in a press release.
Herring was famous for asking “What’s best for the children?” whenever discussions of policies or changes took place in county school board meetings. He led the effort to found the Columbus Career and College Academy, which allows students to graduate high school with two years of college credits in a trade or specialty.
When Columbus students were lagging behind on technology, Herring helped acquire funding for the one to one initiative, which provides a computer for every school student. Herring was a proponent of the two new K-8 school facilities in Columbus.
Herring was also a recipient of the highest award for a North Carolina Board of Education member, the Raleigh Dingman award.
His efforts were not confined to the school system. A faithful member of Cerro Gordo Baptist Church, Herring was a strong supporter of Little League baseball in the western end of the county.
Services will be held at 7 p.m. Friday at Cerro Gordo Baptist, with visitation from 5-6:45 p.m. Thursday and prior to the service.
