Jeff Morton, the Board of Education’s current third district representative, has announced he will run for the board’s vice-chairman position.
Morton’s third district term will end Dec. 31, along with the terms of current Vice Chair Frances Meeks and Second District Representative Billy Mock.
"I have enjoyed serving the third district as a board member and I have learned a great deal over the last two years," Morton said. "If elected Vice Chairman, I will continue to listen to the concerns of the citizens that I represent."
Meeks said she hasn’t yet made up her mind about whether or not she will run again.
"I’m still thinking about it," she said Monday.
The first day to qualify in the general primary election is April 28.
Morton said he doesn’t have all the answers to the district's issues, but plans to be the voice of the people when addressing those issues.
"I promise to get as much information as possible and make my decision based on what is best for the children and our community," he said, noting growth and the handling of it within the school system is probably one of the biggest issues facing the board.
Morton pointed out there seems to be two schools of thought about how an elected position such as this works.
"Either, people are elected because they’re expected to have all the answers and once they are elected, they decide what’s best," he said. "But I feel I’m a representative of the community and I want the input from the people and information about what they think before I make my decisions."
Morton said his previous experience on the board combined with his business background and a vested interest in representing the community makes him a viable candidate for the position.
"We have a very good school system in Bryan County, but there is always room for improvement," he said. "A top notch school system is paramount to the overall quality of life in Bryan County and it is a goal worth pursuing. I appreciate the opportunity to have served as the third district’s school board representative and I thank everyone who has supported and encouraged me in that endeavor. I look forward to serving all of Bryan County in the future."
Morton has lived in Bryan County for 16 years with his wife Renee and their two children. He is the Senior Vice President at the Savannah Bank and is a construction lender.