During their first regularly scheduled meeting of the new year, the Knox County Board of Education took action on several items impacting meeting dates and leadership.
A new face was the first change that greeted members of the public as they prepared for the meeting to begin. Peggy Gray, representing district two, was sworn in by Judge W.L. Skip Hammons, Jr. Gray replaces former member Sam Watts as the board representative for areas served by G.R. Hampton Elementary and Central Elementary including the Artemus area.
Also sworn in for a full term was Gordon Hinkle, representing district one including Central Elementary in the Boone Heights area. Hinkle replaced former member Carla Jordan who stepped down from the Board last year. He was unopposed in the November election.
Members also decided on a new chairman and vice-chairman for the 2015 calendar year. Prior to adjourning the January meeting, board member Dexter Smith was elected as the new chair of the Board. He replaces Merrill Smith who has served as chairman since the resignation of Jordan last year. In a separate vote, Merrill Smith was elected as the new vice chairman.
In making the motion for Dexter Smith to be chairman, Merill Smith cited his colleague’s faithful attendance at Board meetings and efforts to better Knox County as reasons for the nomination. The new chairman and vice chairman will serve beginning with the February meeting through January 2016.
In other business, members voted to adopt the 2015 meeting schedule which includes no major changes from past years. Meetings will continue to occur on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 6:30pm with the exception of the June meeting and any conflicts with holidays. A copy of the calendar is below.
February 24, 2015
March 24, 2015 at Knox County Middle Old Gymnasium
April 28, 2015 at Lynn Camp
May 26, 2015
*June 16, 2015
July 28, 2015
August 25, 2015
September 22, 2015 at Knox Central
October 27, 2015
*November 17, 2015
*December 15, 2015
January 26, 2016Unless specified, all meetings will be held at the Knox County Board of Education Annex. Meeting time is: 6:30 p.m.