VALDOSTA — Three Valdosta Board of Education members are back in action after successful re-election campaigns on Nov. 4.

Monday night, Ricky Rowe, Jeff Sikes, and Willie Jones stood before Judge Richard M. Cowart as a group with raised right hands as he administered the Oath of Office.

All three swore to “truly and faithfully discharge all the duties required of me by law as a member of the Board of Education for the City of Valdosta, Georgia, to the best of my ability.”

Each one further affirmed that they are “qualified to hold said office, according to the Constitution of the United States and laws of Georgia” and that they “will support the Constitution of the United States and of this state.”

Representing District 8, Rowe ran unopposed for a second six-year term on the board. The owner of Rowe Air Conditioning and Plumbing said he enjoys being involved in the educational process, especially the decision-making part.

“It’s an exciting thing,” Rowe said.

At-large representative Sikes defeated Frank Barnas, a Valdosta State University associate professor of Communication. With 71.82 percent of the vote, Sikes won the right to serve a second six-year term on the board.

“I hope to make my second term the best possible for the citizens of the Valdosta,” he said.

A pharmacist with 1st America Drugs, Sikes plans to focus his efforts on expanding the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax program to include more than building new facilities and renovating existing ones, enhancing school safety, and increasing parental involvement and student achievement.

Jones will represent District 7 for another six-year term, his third on the board. He defeated former Valdosta City School teacher Curtis Kimbrough and Baskin-Robbins owner Jack Broomberg, garnering 53.24 percent of the vote.

This board member believes the two most important people in a school system are the teachers and the students. He plans to continue advocating increased parental involvement and volunteer mentors.

“I am as happy as I can be,” Jones said.

The remaining members of the Valdosta Board of Education are Dr. Joe Crane, Sr., District 4; Betty Rogers, District 2; Annie Fisher, District 1; John Klimko, District 6; Dr. Neil Myers, District 5; and Warren Lee, District 3.



To contact reporter Jessica Pope, please call 244-3400, ext. 255.