After interviewing candidates last week, the Chambers County Board of Education voted unanimously Wednesday night to appoint Candace Lyons to serve as the District 2 representative.

Wasting no time in their called work session, the board was only presented with one nomination, which came from board member Jeffrey Finch. Once Lyons was voted in, Superintendent Dr. Kelli Hodge gave a brief report on upcoming events and the meeting was adjourned.

“This board is an exceptional one, and I think this keeps it a diverse group,” Finch said of Lyons. “She’s a young parent with a kid in school and the district in her heart. The other board members are grandparents to kids, but there should be someone who is being groomed for this board.”

Board members were in agreement that her perspective as a younger mother with a child currently in the school district will be invaluable to board operations.

“I could not make a recommendation, this had to completely be the board, but I completely support their decision,” Hodge said. “Candace was the only one that applied who has students in our district. That will help provide perspective that this board has not had. We have to have people who help us think differently and bring in different opinions.”

Lyons is the daughter of the late Clifford Lyons, who previously represented District 2. Lyons graduated from LaFayette High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration and management from Colorado State University’s Global Campus.

“I would bring a parent’s perspective to the board,” she said during the interviews last week. “I have a son in the system and am active in the school’s PTO program. I want to be a voice for our district. It’s the responsibility of the board to provide the best resources they can to maximize student achievement.”

Hodge said that Lyons will be officially sworn in at the Feb. 20 board meeting with board orientation following on Feb. 21.