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Three Troup County School board members stepped down on Wednesday night in front of a packed crowd. Cathy Hunt, Brandon Brooks and Joe Franklin had their final meeting as board members after not seeking re-election in November. 

All three of the retiring members have served nine years over three terms.

“We want to express, as a district, our appreciation,” said Dr. Rachel Hazel, the TCSS Superintendent. “On a personal note, I want to thank you for your belief in me, your support. You wrote in your [LaGrange Daily News] column that people have become family, and I certainly appreciate being welcomed into the family.”

Hunt and Brooks were presented with jackets and a small statue by Hazel as a token of thanks for their service. While Joe Franklin was unable to attend the meeting, his counterparts, Hunt and Brooks spoke about their time as Troup County School Board members.

Hunt thanked friends and family members in attendance, as well as the founding members of “Back our Board” a social media group that supports the school board. She highlighted Brooks and Franklin, both of whom started on the board with her in 2016. 

“I do love them like brothers,” Hunt said, adding the late Kirk Hancock who was in elected in that class also. 

Both board members acknowledged the challenges of public office. However, Hunt said that the people, both on the board and in the central office will be missed. 

“There are certain things I’m not going to miss, but I’ve been invested in the school system for a long, long time, and that will not change,” she said. 

Brooks, who has served as the chairman of the board during his final term, discussed the impact a cohesive school board can have on the community.

“The craziness that you see across our nation over the last couple of years, especially in school board meetings, doesn’t happen here, and it doesn’t happen for a reason,” Brooks said. “…because there’s good leadership and there’s collaboration between people in Troup County.”

The chairman urged the young people in the room to give back to their community, and for the adults to find ways to get involved. 

“We have done some great things in this room [and] there are great, great things to come. The sun is coming up on Troup County…There are great things in store, and it is going to happen under the leadership of this lady right here,” said Brooks motioning to Hazel. 

Hazel summarized the night’s messages of gratitude, saying, “Troup County is where you want to be, and that is largely in part due to the fact that our board supports each other, and they support all of us.”

The board member-elects will take their seats in January. Mark Thompson will be taking over for Brooks in the District 3 seat. Hunt will be succeeded by Dan McAlexander for District 5. Tripp Foster will be the District 6 representative in place of Joe Franklin.