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Reco Newton and LaShae Herring were sworn in to office during Wednesday night’s Chambers County School Board meeting. Herring will be returning to her seat after running uncontested, whereas Newton will be taking the District 1 seat after recently winning the race in November.

“I graduated from Valley High School and now 30 years later, who would’ve thought that I would be getting the chance to serve on the school board to help the students of Chambers County?” Newton said. 

Newton has worked in education for 22 years, beginning his career at Valley High School and later Lanett High School. Later, he moved to Loachapoka High School to serve as the head football coach and athletic director. 

He currently works at the LC2, the behavioral Alternative School in the Lee County School System. 

Newton ran as the Democratic candidate after winning in the primaries against Jeffery Finch, the longest-running school board member. Before November, Finch had served on the board for 18 years. 

In November, Newton ran against Republican candidate Carolyn Danyel Peters and won by a clean margin of 934 votes to 765. 

A Valley native himself, Newton promised to be accountable to the voters of District 1 after his win on election night and his term has officially begun. 

Newton added that it was an honor to be sworn in by his father, James Newton, who also served as District 1 board member in past years. 

“I want to thank the voters of District 1 who gave me the opportunity to serve as District 1 on the school board,” Newton said.