By By Georgia E. Frye / staff writer
May 7, 2003
Retired businessman George Meyers was named Tuesday as the newest member of the Meridian School Board filling a vacancy left when former member Ann Stewart's term expired earlier this year.
Meyers' term begins immediately and will expire at the end of February 2008.
He has served the last two months as co-chairman of the school board's New Expectations work group, community leaders charged with assisting the school board in its search for a new superintendent.
Meridian City Council members voted 4-1 on Tuesday to confirm Mayor John Robert Smith's appointment of Meyers. The vote came during the council's regularly scheduled meeting.
Ward 5 Councilmen Bobby Smith cast the sole "no" vote. Smith said his decision was based on the fact that Meyers doesn't have children currently attending Meridian public schools.
Meyers and his family moved to Meridian in 1975. His two sons attended Poplar Springs Elementary, Magnolia Middle, North West Junior High and Meridian High.
Even though he doesn't have any children attending Meridian public schools at this time, he said, that shouldn't be a factor in his performance because school board issues are community issues.
Meyers said he plans to participate in training available for school board members. He also will receive a $200 a month salary for his service on the school board.
School Board President Fred Wile praised Meyers' appointment. Wile said Meyers' experience as a manager at a large business and his human resources skills are important.
The George Meyers File
Name: George Meyers.
Family: Wife, Mary E. Meyers, and two sons, Andrew and Daniel.
Hometown: St. Paul, Minn.; Meridian
resident since 1975.
Occupation: Retired, General Motors Corp./Delco Remy America; still works part-time with Delco Remy.
Education: Bachelor's degree, University of Minnesota.
Community involvement: Worked with Boy Scouts of America, East Mississippi Business Development Corp., United Way of East Mississippi, Wesley House and others.
Staff writer Fredie Carmichael contributed to this report.