The Bryan County Board of Education is back to its typical seven-member board after a unanimous decision Monday to select a new member to serve District 3.

At a called meeting held at Richmond Hill Middle School, the board selected Richmond Hill resident Amy Murphy to fill the seat, which was vacated by former board member Charlie Johnson in November. Johnson left the board to take a job in Washington, D.C.

Murphy joined Richmond Hill residents Dallas Daniel and Benjamin Ford as candidates the board heard from Monday. Before going into closed session Monday to discuss the appointment, board member Jeff Morton said the decision would be tough because all three were very well-qualified.

“I’m very impressed with all three of you,” Morton said. “It seems like all three of you are very qualified, you just have different angles — whether it’s a business owner or teacher or counselor or that background, I think all three of you would do a good job.”

Following the board’s decision, Superintendent John Oliver said he was pleased with the selection and feels Murphy will do a great job.

 “I think she’ll make an excellent board member,” Oliver said. “She is the mother of two of our kids and she has an excellent background. She’ll be an asset to the board.”

Murphy’s children attend school in Richmond Hill and she cited their excellent experience in the school system as a reason to serve on the board.

“Like most every family that moves here, it is easy to recognize what a wonderful community we live in,” Murphy told the BoE. “One of the jewels in the current crown is the current school system we have. My desire to serve on the school board comes from my desire to help maintain the quality of our school system not only for my children, but for all children in Bryan County.”

Murphy works as a therapist at the Fraser Center in Hinesville and said she is used to working with children, adolescents and families.

Read more in the Jan. 25 edition of the News.