School board members voted to name 7th District school board member Johnny Lattimore chairman of the DeKalb County Board of Education Thursday night.
The board also re-elected 3rd District member Kenny Rhody as vice-chairman and 1st District member John David Foutch as assistant secretary during its yearly reorganization, which takes place every September.
Lattimore was nominated by 6th District member doug Stephens to replace 2nd District member and long-time chairman Charles Robinson.
Rhody nominated Robinson for re-election, citing “the outstanding job he's done.”
“A lot of research goes into that role,” Rhody said. “It's a tough role when you do it the right way. There's a lot of research, and I think he performed an excellent job as chairman," added Rhody.
While Robinson thanked Rhody for the kind words and the nomination, he said he was removing his name from consideration.
Foutch then moved that the nominations cease and that Lattimore be elected as chairman by acclamation.
All members present voted in favor of naming Lattimore the new chairman.
After the decision was made, Lattimore said that he agreed with Rhody, and that Robinson had left big shoes to fill.
"I would like to reiterate what Mr. Rhody was saying, that Mr. Robinson has done an outstanding job over the last few years as chairman,” he said. “We appreciate all of his hard work and dedication. He put a lot of time into being chairman of the board and we appreciate that.”
The board also authorized the signing of a contract with Kaatz, Binkley, Jones & Morris Architects of Mount Juliet for the proposed re-roofing projects at Smithville Elementary, DeKalb Middle, and DeKalb West schools after an attorney has reviewed it.
Meanwhile, Lattimore congratulated Director Mark Willoughby for being named Director of the Year in the Upper Cumberland and for being among nine directors state-wide who were in the running for Director of the Year in Tennessee.
The board also voted to provide a bus to transport anyone, especially elderly or handicapped persons from DeKalb County to the Dailey and Vincent concert in Gainesboro if enough interest is shown.
Bluegrass duo Dailey & Vincent will hold their third annual concert for their Helping Hands Charity, on Sept. 29 at the Jackson County High School Gymnasium in Gainesboro.
Showtime is set for 5 p.m.
Money raised by the concert will be divided evenly for use in Jackson and DeKalb counties.
Concert tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door, and are available at Cantrell Furniture or Mapco Express or by calling Julie Vincent (615-418-5759).
Tickets are also available online at www.daileyvincent.com.