During its first meeting of 2012, the Fannin County School Board elected a new chair and vice chair person to the BoardSuperintendent Mark Henson prefaced the occasion by reminding the Board and all present that a chairperson can serve no more than two years. Then Board Chairman, Bobby Beardon said that since he has

“no interest in serving as chairperson this year”

he nominates member Sandra Mercier.

“I appreciate the vote of confidence,” Mercer said, “I will do my best to follow the duties of the board chair.”

Later, she thanked Beardon for the nomination and said, on behalf of the other board members, that she appreciated the hard work and time Beardon put into the job, admitting the difficulties posed by the position.

Also, then vice board chair, Lewis DeWeese nominated member Steve Stanely for that position. Uncontested, Stanely was elevated to DeWeese former role. In his closing comments, Mr. Stanely thanked Beardon for his leadership, DeWeese for the confidence in him as vice chair and said he looks forward to working with Mercier as the new chairperson.

For the Board, the first move of the year was to set a time and date for the monthly meeting. With Mercier at the helm, the Board decided to retain the previous schedule, the second Thursday of every month at 6pm and the workshop, the preceding Tuesday at noon.