William Tyner was handed the school board gavel, and will now serve as the Gordon County School board chairman following a vacancy.

“I ask for your prayers, and I’ll do the best I can to represent Gordon County,” Tyner said, graciously thanking board members for the votes.

The former board chairwoman Wanda Davis resigned last year. Board members held an election for the position of board chair at the beginning of the meeting.

Superintendent Bill McCown says Tyner is committed.

“He’s demonstrated commitment and hard work for the school for 27 years,” McCown said.

Board member Scott Williams says he’s qualified.

“He’s given a lot of time to the community, and he has a lot of experience and qualifications,” Williams said. “I’ve seen it from his historical knowledge of the school district and from the way he’s done things in the past.”

In an interview following the meeting, Tyner said he was in shock.

“I was just shocked,” Tyner explained. “I didn’t know that was going to happen.”

“It’s an honor," he added

For more information, pick up the Saturday Jan. 16 edition of the Calhoun Times.