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Durham School Board Member Fights To Keep Job, Home

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DURHAM, N.C. — Durham school board member Jackie Wagstaff is already in danger of losing her seat on the Durham school board. Now she could lose the house she is renting on Woodcrest Street.

Wagstaff's landlord filed eviction papers this week that show she owes him more than $2,900. WRAL has found 40 court cases involving Wagstaff since 1997.

Wagstaff wants a judge to block the school board's investigation of her criminal convictions. During a hearing Monday, she testified she cannot find a job because of the publicity.

"If you apply for a job with this thing going on at the school board, it's had a devastating effect on my life," Wagstaff said.

The same landlord who wants to evict Wagstaff from her house owns the building where she once ran a nonprofit housing program. The landlord locked the doors to the building last fall and he is still owed $39,000.

Wagstaff's landlord will go to court Friday to have her evicted. Wagstaff is due in court next week. A judge will decide if her lawsuit against the school board can move forward.

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