The Anderson Community Schools Board of Trustees will have a new leader this year.
During Monday’s meeting, Mandy Webb was elected as the board’s new president. She replaces Patrick Hill, who served nine terms as the board’s leader and was chosen to be its vice president this year.
The vote was 4-3, with Hill and Webb joining Martha Green and Holly Renz in voting for Webb.
Robert “Bucky” Bookhart, Joanna Collette and Rodney Chamberlain voted for Collette.
Webb, who is in her fourth year on the board, is a graduate of ACS, and has had her children go through ACS.
Webb said being elected president was a “surreal” moment for her, and she hopes to give back to the community through the role.
“To be on the school board itself was a surreal moment for me,” Webb said. “Now to step into the role of president of the board, I can’t believe I’m doing this, but I love every second of it.
“I can really give back to the district that I came from and help the kids as I was helped when I was coming through ACS. That’s really important to me.”
In addition to choosing Hill as vice president, board members elected Holly Renz as secretary and Rodney Chamberlain as assistant secretary.
Superintendent Joe Cronk said he is looking forward to collaborating with Webb.
“I think it’s great,” Cronk said. “I’m looking forward to working with Mandy and looking forward to making ACS better. I think we’ll have good things happen this year. They will start looking for a new superintendent, and Mandy’s been here long enough to help guide that process and work with our attorney to get things going.”
Webb said, as she begins her presidency, she hopes to create stronger ties between the board and administration.
“My plans starting out are just to see how I can develop better communication within the board itself, and to develop communication between central administration and the board,” she said.
“I’m a person that likes to step in and just listen and watch and see where areas might come up that need something,” Webb continued.
“That’s what I’m always passionate about. How can I help. It’s about watching, learning, listening and seeing where I can move from there.”
This article appeared in The Herald Bulletin.