Tuck Assumes School Board Chairmanship

Following its tradition of electing a new chairman each year, the School Board of Highlands County approved Andy Tuck to head the board for the next 12 months.

In his first four-year term on the board and after serving one year as vice chairman, the board on Tuesday unanimously approved Tuck for the chairmanship.

Also, the board unanimously approved Wally Randall to serve as the vice chairman for the next year.

Prior to the school board's annual reorganizational meeting, Superintendent Wally Cox took the oath of office for his third four-year term and school board members J. Ned Hancock and Donna Howerton were both sworn in to their fourth four-year term on the board.

Hancock said this would be his last term.

"After 12 years of service, I look forward to the next four years and will continue to place it at a high priority in my life," he said.

Before he leaves the board his youngest daughter will have completed her years in the school system and he will have completed 16 years on the board, Hancock noted. "That's a long time and maybe time to let somebody else do it at the end of that time."

Like former board member Wendy Renfro, Hancock said he wanted to announce his plans early to allow plenty of time for those who wish to seek a seat on the board.

"I genuinely appreciate everyone on here and all the work that they do and on the past boards, it's a great experience, but 16 years will be enough for me - thank you," Hancock concluded.

The school board approved its calendar of scheduled meetings for the next 12 months. With a few exceptions, the board will continue to meet at 5:30 p.m., the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month.

The school board's regular meetings for the next four months are as follows:

• 4 p.m., Dec. 1 and Dec. 9.

• 5:30 p.m., Jan. 20.

• 5:30 p.m., Feb. 10 and Feb. 24.

• 5:30 p.m., March 10 and March 24.