The Shadow
Tamala Preston was named the new chairperson of the Covington City School Board during Monday evening’s reorganizational meeting.
Preston was the lone nominee and was voted unanimously to the position.
Superintendent Melinda Snead-Johnson facilitated the portion of the meeting prior to Preston being named chairperson.
Once Preston was appointed, she began overseeing her first meeting.
She facilitated the elections for the remaining positions including that of vice chairperson.
Bert Baker was retained as the vice chairman of the school board. He was the only nominee was also voted unanimously into that position.
This was the first meeting of the new regime following the departure of nine-year school board member and former chairperson Eddy Clemons.
A surprised and excited Preston said of her appointment, “First of all, I would like to thank the board for entrusting me to this position, as well as the superintendent and the schools. It’s an honor to serve my community, to serve the schools.”
“I’m going to need your help,”?Preston also said.
Baker gave her reassurance by saying, “We got you.”
Upon Baker’s selection as vice chairperson, he stated, “I appreciate the support. I?thoroughly enjoyed being vice chair in the past and being a part of this organization. I?look to continue that.”
Newly appointed school board member Jonathan Arritt was put into a role of responsibility early in his tenure as he was named to the Jackson River Technical Center Joint Board of Control.
The following items of reorganization were approved Monday:
— Clerk: Rebecca Irvine (5-0 vote);
— Deputy Clerk:?Darlene Lambert (5-0 vote);
— JRTC Joint Board of Control Representatives: Arritt, Baker, Preston;
— Jackson River Governor’s School Representative: Preston;
— Meeting Date/Time: Second Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m.
Following the reorganization meeting, the school board went into closed session regarding an issue of concern raised by school board member Tonya Jones.
The Covington City School Board will convene for its regular meeting for the month of July next Monday evening at 6:30 p.m. at the School Board Offices, 340 E. Walnut Street.
