MATTHEW BURNETTE

Staff Writer

Three outgoing members of the Coffee County School Board were recognized at the Aug. 10 meeting by Director of Schools Scott Hargrove for their service to the school system.

Chairperson Freda Jones and Board members Jennifer Peacock Hodge and Chris Koon came up short in their election bids with Hodge and Koon being defeated in the May primary by Dana Morris and former Director Dr. Charles Lawson, respectively, while Jones lost to former Board members Dr. Gary Nester and Brent Parsley in the August general election.

Jones, a long-tenured Board member and former teacher in the Coffee County School System, says that while not winning in the election hurts, she’s enjoyed “every minute” of serving on the Board and knows that it is in good hands.

She also challenged incoming Board members to continue being supporters of the public education system.

“I will always be the biggest supporter of public education, and I hope this new Board does that because public education is at a crossroads, and if we don’t stand up for it, it’s going to be gone,” said Jones. “I think that’s what made America great. I know we’re not perfect, but America educated every child or tried to anyway and gave them the opportunity, and that’s so different from other countries.”

“If you want to homeschool your child, you can or if you want to send them to private school, you can, but we’ve got to have public schools to pick up the slack because not everyone can do that,” she added before giving one final assurance:

“I’ll see y’all at the ball games.”

Hodge joked that she had already asked Hargrove to look for a job for her because she’s “not quite ready to go.”

“Being a part of this has fed my soul in so many ways,” she explained. “I’ve gotten to meet so many wonderful people and have so many great experiences in our schools. Being around these kids, these kids are everything, and I know that they are in good hands with everyone.”

“If anyone ever needs a mural painted or a book read or a class taught or somewhere to go on Thanksgiving, you know who to call, and I’m very thankful for this experience,” she continued.

Hodge also acknowledged former Board Chairman Thomas Ballard who also will not be returning to the Board after resigning in May due to health concerns.

Koon noted that he also has enjoyed his time on the Board and thanked each of his fellow Board members.

“It’s a learning process when you first come on,” he explained. “A lot of guidance from a lot of the older Board members, I appreciate that. I just want to say that I feel like that even thought three of us will not be back, the school system is in good hands, and I wish nothing but the best to the new Board members, the new Board alignment, Mr. Hargrove and Mr. Shores.”

The four incoming members of the School Board will be sworn in during the Sept. 14 Board meeting.