The two newest Elizabethton Board of Education members were sworn in to their positions Wednesday afternoon.
Tyler Fleming and Susan Peters received their oaths as school board members as friends, family and Elizabethton City School officials looked on. Both are new to the school board, filling seats vacated by Catherine Armstrong and Connie Baker.
Both new school board members expressed their thanks for the public’s support and said they looked forward to working as board members.
“It is an honor and a privilege,” Fleming said. “I look forward to working with the other school board members. It is a great opportunity.”
Peters said she would work for what was best for the students, teachers and the taxpayers as a new board of education member.
“I am honored to have had people have faith and trust in me,” she said.
Board of Education Chairwoman Rita Booher is looking forward to working with the new board members.
“I am very hopeful that we will work cooperatively on the projects that are already in play and on the projects that are to come in the future,” Booher said.
In the Nov. 4 election, Fleming led the race with 1,694 votes and Peters came in second with 1,616.
During his campaign, Fleming stressed the need for a long-term plan for the space and structural needs at T.A. Dugger Junior High School. Renovations to the school are part of the Elizabethton City School systems current capital plan to be completed in the next few years.
Peters said she would encourage the school board to take a step back and rethink the construction of a new sports complex at Elizabethton High School.
She said she thought the decision to construct a new stadium was “rushed” and renovations to the current Brown-Childress Stadium should be considered, with the extra capital funding used for additional classroom space at the elementary schools, TAD and a new band room at EHS.
The board members will participate in their first school board meeting on Friday at noon for a special called meeting to discuss plans for the EHS stadium.