The Thomas County Board of Education held its first meeting of the new calendar year Tuesday night. After the invocation, outgoing chair Charles Evans declared the positions of chair and vice chair vacant and asked for nominations.
Board member Nancy Hiers made a motion that Kay Streets be elected chair and that Mark NeSmith be elected vice chair. Leah Smith seconded Hiers’ motion. Evans called for any additional nominations. There were no additional nominations, so Streets and NeSmith were elected to their respective roles with no dissenting votes.
Streets has been a member of the board since 2004. She served as chair during 2009 and 2014. She is a registered nurse and works with the Archbold Center for Wound Management. She has worked for Archbold for 34 years.
“It is a privilege to chair alongside my fellow board members,” said Streets. “I am looking forward to another year of opportunity to serve Thomas County and our school system. We always have an open door and will continue to be a voice for our citizens, while doing our best to build a system that continues on the path of excellence.”
NeSmith has managed Rodina Plantation in Boston, Georgia, for 28 years. He is also a self-employed farmer. NeSmith has been a member of the board since 2009. He served as vice-chair during 2015 and chair in 2016.
NeSmith said, “I would like to thank the members of the Thomas County School Board for the opportunity to serve as vice chair for the upcoming year. I look forward to working with Kay Streets who will be serving as chair. In 2021, our board, in conjunction with Dr. Lisa Williams and the entire Thomas County School System family, will remain dedicated to the continued growth, opportunity, and academic success of all of our students.”
The new District 4 Thomas County Board of Education member Chris Hayes was recently sworn in and attended the January meeting. Hayes was elected to fill the vacant seat left by Derwood Hickey, who recently completed his second term and did not seek re-election. Hayes has worked for the City of Thomasville for 28 years where he currently serves as Director of Utility Operations.
Hayes graduated from Thomas County Central High School in 1992. His father and grandparents both worked for the school system.
“The Thomas County School System has had an influence on me my whole life, and I’m honored to have the opportunity to serve the citizens of Thomas County,” Hayes said. “I look forward to working with the other board members to accomplish the work of the board for the benefit of the district and its students.”
