NEW SCHOOL BOARD
MEMBERS SWORN IN WEDNESDAY

By Jon Mayhew

LINCOLNTON -- The four new Lincoln County Board of
Education members were sworn in Wednesday night, where the
board then elected a new chairman and vice-chairman.

Both Tommy Houser and George Dellinger are returning to the
board; new to the board but not to education are former LCS
employees Kelly Childers and Ed Hatley. School board attorney
and Lincolnton mayor David Black conducted the ceremonies at
the LCS central office on North Generals Boulevard after a
reception honoring former board members Fred Jarrett and Tony
Jenkins.

Ed Hatley retired from Lincoln County Schools in 2003 with 30
years of service. He began his career as a teacher for Lincolnton
City Schools in 1974.

During his tenure, he also served as principal of Iron Station
Elementary, North Brook Elementary, and East Lincoln Junior
High. In 1986, he was named Assistant Superintendent of
Curriculum and later transferred to Associate Superintendent.
After retiring, Hatley served as an interim teacher, principal,
Interim Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, and
Interim Assistant Superintendent of Support Services.

After retiring, Lincoln County Schools also contracted with Mr.
Hatley to serve as a mentor and advisor to principals.

Kelly Childers, meantime, is also a former Lincoln County
School employee. Childers retired after 32 years of service to the
school system.

During his tenure, he served as a teacher at East Lincoln High,
West Lincoln High, and North Brook Elementary schools. While
teaching at West Lincoln High, he served as a coach for 12
years in football and basketball.

Childers also served as a principal at West Lincoln High School
and Love Memorial Elementary School.

The Childers name is no stranger to long-time Lincoln County
residents; Kelly Childers father, Norris S. Childers, served as
Superintendent of Lincoln County Schools for 26 years.

The new board chair is Carl E. Robinson of Denver, who has
served on the board of Education for 2 years. Rusty Beam was
elected as Vice-Chair. He has served on the Board of Education
for six years.