Charlette Foster and Derrick Johnson have worked with students in Alcorn County for years.
The two were sworn in as District 2 and District 3 schiool board members, respectively, during the Alcorn School District board meeting on Thursday. The meeting was the regular January monthly meeting and the first session to begin the new year.
“There’s so much legal jargon we’re having to learn,” Johnson said. “We are making decisions that affect our whole county, all of our students. It’s a lot to take in right off the bat. Great people are helping us out. Great people are reaching out all across the districts.”
Johnson, a third-generation graduate of Biggersville High School, works at Caterpillar as a team lead where he has been employed for 18 years. He and his wife, Tina (Austin) have two sons – Hunter, 17, and Dillon, 14 – both enrolled at Biggersville.
He replaces interim District 3 board member Brandon Palmer.
Foster serves as executive director for the Jacinto Foundation, coordinating events in and around the historic courthouse. She also serves as music director at Lovejoy Baptist Church. She and her husband, Rick, have two daughters.
She is also a former longtime educator and girl’s basketball coach in Alcorn County.
Foster replaces Ann Little, who retired from the board.
“(Johnson and I) look forward to serving our community,” she said. “This is a labor of love. We look forward to serving these kids.”
Foster is a second-generation board member, following both her parents Roger and Peggy Bain served on the board. Her brother, Dale Bain, completed her mother’s term after her death in 2011.
Foster swept Central, Glen and Jacinto in the Nov. 8 election, collecting 621 of 1,057 votes.
Johnson won 569 of 1,009 votes cast in a crowded field of three other candidates.
The only incumbent to run Nov. 8, First District board member Katriena Burgess, was re-elected by a count of 424 to 239.
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