Stephens Co. BOE Concludes Vacancy Interviews

The final three candidates for a vacant seat on the Stephens County Board of Education make their case to the school board.

Thursday, the Stephens County school board interviewed the final three of six candidates for the District 2 seat on the Board of Education left vacant by Jeff Webb’s resignation in April.

School board members heard from Dave Stancil with Northeast Georgia Bank first.

Stancil said he feels business knowledge is an important trait for a school board member.

He said right now, the school system has an opportunity to be a part of growth in the community.

“I also feel that Toccoa-Stephens County, we are in a window of opportunity the next five years or so, with industry coming in to this community, with a four-lane highway and an industrial park, I believe I want to become part of this board to become active in the community, in order to help facilitate,” said Stancil. “If I am an industry coming into this community, I would want to look at the school system as a whole and certainly have a positive outlook.”

Stancil also said that the board’s biggest challenge moving forward is regaining the taxpayers’ confidence.

Choyce Watson, who works at a local doctor’s office, interviewed next.

She also said regaining the people’s confidence is the school board’s biggest challenge.

Watson said she would like to be able to give back to the community by serving on the school board.

“I want the people to know we are for them and I want to see kids grow and continue to succeed,” said Watson.

The final interview was Isaac White, the pastor at Hurricane Grove Baptist Church.

He said the board’s biggest challenge will be dealing with limited resources in the future.

Meanwhile, White said he feels he would bring a different perspective to the Board of Education.

“I would like to be able to help our school system to adapt, to evolve, to bring some diversity to the school board,” said White. “I do not believe it should be only educators on our school board, nor do I think it should be only businessmen or retired men or young family members. I think the school board should be a diverse group because our youth are a diverse group.”

Stephens County Board of Education Chair Tony Crunkleton said that the board appreciates all six of the candidates who have put themselves up for consideration.

“You all have made our decision really difficult because you all are outstanding people and outstanding candidates and it has made it harder for us in the decision we have to make, but saying that, because you are all outstanding, I feel like no matter what decision we make, it will be a good choice because you are all good choices,” said Crunkleton.

The Stephens County Board of Education expects to make a decision at its meeting on Tuesday.

Whoever is chosen will serve through the remainder of Webb’s term, which runs through the end of 2018.