Newton Citizen

Newton County School System Superintendent Gary Mathews passes the gavel to newly appointed chair of the Newton County Board of Education, Abigail Coggin. The board also appointed Shakila Henderson-Baker, left, as its vice chair.

COVINGTON — The Newton County Board of Education has a new chair and vice chair.

During its monthly meeting on Tuesday, the board unanimously approved Abigail Coggin as its chair, after being nominated by then-current Chair Eddie Johnson. Board member Almond Turner then nominated Shakila Henderson-Baker to serve as vice chair, which also was unanimously approved by the fellow members.

Jeff Meadors served as the vice chair last year.

Coggin represents District 5, while Baker represents District 3; they will serve in their positions until January 2014.

According to Newton County School System policy BBA, the duties of the chairperson are:

• To ensure that all members of the board are equally informed regarding the pertinent issues of the district;

• To preside at all meetings;

• To serve as the official representative of the board unless another member is designated by the board to do so;

• To plan with the superintendent the board meeting agendas;

• To appoint all committees unless otherwise directed by the board;

• To discuss and to vote on all questions;

• To call special meetings of the board whenever conditions set for special meetings have been met;

• To execute all documents requiring the signature of the chairperson on behalf of the board;

• To sign the official record of board proceedings as kept by the secretary and approved by the board; and

• To perform such other duties as may be prescribed by law, by adopted board policy or by action of the board.

It is the vice chair’s duty to preside in the temporary absence of the chairperson and perform such other duties as may be delegated by the board and by policy.