A pair of recent resignations from the Washington County Board of Education has sparked the need for a Special Election to fill the remainder of two unexpired terms.
District 2 and District 4 representatives Kristi Jenkins and Melvin Williams each willfully stepped down from their respective posts during the final Board meetings of 2024.
In November, Jenkins resigned citing relocation outside of District 2.
The following month, Williams specified health concerns for his resignation as District 4 representative.
At their December meeting, the Board of Education appointed Zach Webb to fill the newly unoccupied District 2 seat.
Webb was defeated for the position by Jenkins in a tightly contested 2022 runoff election.
Then earlier this month, the Board appointed Rodney K. Walker to assume the vacated spot for District 4.
Walker did not seek the seat during the most recent 2022 election, when an entire new Board of Education was elected, as no incumbent member of the previous Board sought reelection.
To continue to fill the unexpired terms, Webb and Walker must retain the Board seats though winning the popular vote in an upcoming Special Election on Tuesday, March 18.
The terms for the District 2 and District 4 positions run through 2026.
Qualifying for the Special Election will open at 9:00 a.m. next Monday on January 27. It will span through 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 29.
Candidates in Districts 2 and 4 may place their names on the upcoming ballot by completing the qualifying process and paying the state ordered fee of $47.25 at the Board of Elections and Registration Office (150 Riddleville Road in Sandersville.)
Non-registered voting citizens in the two districts may register to vote in the upcoming election at 150 Riddleville Road through 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 18.
Early voting for the Special Election will run from Monday, February 24 through Friday, March 14. It will take place on weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m at the Board of Elections Office.
Election Day will be held on Tuesday, March 18. District 2 and District 4 polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Currently, the Washington County Board of Education is served by the following elected and appointed individuals:
Chairperson: Robbie Blocker
District 1: Dr. Al Gray
District 2: Zach Webb (Interim)
District 3: Leigh Jordan
District 4: Rodney Walker (Interim)