A new member joined the Lincoln County School Board last week,and a new member will join the Brookhaven School District Board ofTrustees next month.

Steve Rushing was sworn in Monday at the county board meeting toserve a four year term. Rushing, who represents the West Lincolndistrict, is replacing long-time board member James Keen Jr. On thecity’s side, the board of aldermen selected Karen Braden for a fiveyear term. She will replace Amy Valentine.

Both new members have strong ties to their respective schooldistricts. Rushing attended West Lincoln School, and his ownchildren will be educated there. Several members of his family areteachers, and his father, Versie Rushing, served as countysuperintendent of education in the 1980s. One of Braden’s fourchildren has already graduated from Brookhaven High School, and theother three are now students in the city district.

We want to wish them well in their endeavors, and we areconfident they will do excellent jobs. Their commitments toeducation are strong, and they should be assets to the schooldistricts.

We also want to thank Amy Valentine and James Keen Jr. for theirservice to the school districts and the children of this community.Brookhaven and Lincoln County are blessed to have some of the bestschools in the state. One reason for that is the fine quality ofpeople who take an interest in our schools and get involved withthem.

Although Mrs. Valentine and Mr. Keen have fulfilled their dutiesas school board members, we hope they continue to take active rolesin the school districts. And, we hope others will follow theirlead.