Thursday marked a change for the Carter County Board of Education as member Ronnie McAmis took part in his last meeting on Board.
McAmis, who represents the county’s 8th District, decided not to see re-election to the Board for a third term. His term of office officially ends on Aug. 31. After then, McAmis’ successor — the newly elected Jerry Stout — will take his place on the Board on Sept. 1.
During Thursday’s meeting of the BOE, the Board honored McAmis for his eight years of service to the Board and the children of Carter County. Board Chairman Rusty Barnett and Director of Schools Dr. Kevin Ward presented McAmis with a plaque during the meeting.
Ward noted McAmis was first elected to serve on the Board in 2008 and has been a member ever since.
“Over that time, Ronnie has been a very valuable piece and part of this Board,” Ward said.
“I have enjoyed it,” McAmis said of his time in office. “I would like to have more time to dedicate to the Board and serving the children of this county.”
“Even thought I’m not on the Board, I will always be an advocate for our children,” he added.
McAmis said he has other obligations that will not allow him the time needed to serve on the Board, but he may consider seeking a seat on the Board again in the future.
“We’ll see what the future holds,” he said. “Right now I just have a lot of work.”
One of McAmis’ fondest memories of his time on the Board is when the children celebrated School Board Appreciation and the children gave gifts to the members of the Board.
“I enjoyed seeing the children make things for the school Board members,” McAmis said. “I think that showed the children the Board members are a part of their lives.”
Now that his time on the Board is ending, McAmis said what he will miss most is the camaraderie between the Board members.
“I think we had a Board that worked very well together,” he said.
McAmis said if he could offer advice to Stout as he begins his term it would be to “be a team player,” which McAmis added, does not mean always agreeing with everyone else. McAmis said during his tenure he occassionaly found himself voting a different way than his colleagues.
“You can be a team player and still voice your opinion and make a stand for something,” McAmis said.