GARRY CHAFFIN JR.Appointed to board

The newly appointed member to the Warren County School Board couldn’t come at a greater time.

Commissioner of Education Jon Draud recently appointed Garry Chaffin Jr. of Rockfield to the position that became vacant when board member William Traugott chose not to run for re-election to his term that ends this month.

At a time when the board faces many construction-related decisions brought on by growth in the district’s student population, Chaffin brings extensive experience in construction with his background working as a project manager for Lyons Co., an industrial commercial mechanical contractor.

“I have a good construction background and hope to do a small part in knowing what to look for from a contractor and general contractor,” he said.

Chaffin said while he has always been an advocate for education and has coached youth sports in the area for 20 years, it was his exposure to the school board as a youth that sparked his interest in applying for the position.

“I had the opportunity growing up to know the late Henry Moss and see how he served on the school board and was dedicated to the community,” Chaffin said. “He served with such honesty and integrity … . I waited for a point in my life where I could serve and was always looking forward to that opportunity.”

That opportunity became available once Traugott announced his departure from the board and Chaffin was coaching less – most of his sons have graduated from high school.

His youngest son, Cody, 12, is in the seventh grade at Henry Moss Middle School while his other son, Zack, 24, and stepsons, Josh Wilson, 24, and Jordan Wilson, 20, graduated from Warren Central High School.

Chaffin said he has lived in Rockfield his entire life and is a Warren Central graduate himself, and hopes to bring not only a deep understanding of the community to the board, but a desire to help the county “continue its excellence.”

“The school board has already done a great job and I just want to be able to contribute a small part to that,” he said.

Three candidates applied to the Kentucky Department of Education and were interviewed Wednesday in Frankfort by a committee of education professionals from across the state.

The committee then made its recommendation to Draud and Chaffin said he received a letter Thursday notifying him of his swearing-in date in January.

Lisa Gross, spokeswoman for the department of education, said the committee chooses people who will make the best potential school board member.

“They try to make a decision based on what’s best for the children in the school district and the reason they select an individual is if they have the best interest of the children in mind,” she said.

Chaffin said his main focus is the children.

“One of my proudest moments as a coach was going to Rockfield for the CATS testing reward night,” he said. “I saw my football players getting proficient and distinguished and that was a very proud moment. Education has always been very important in our house.”

This week, Chaffin will meet with Superintendent Dale Brown and Becky Evans, who was elected to the board in November to replace Chairwoman Theresa Lowe, who also decided not to seek re-election.

Along with other officials, the new members will be brought up to speed on some of the pending issues the board is facing or will deal with in the near future.

Chaffin said he looks forward to facing the challenges the board will tackle soon, such as re-districting the county to accommodate the new middle and high school along with several construction projects like the new Richardsville Elementary School.

“It will take some time – I will need to find my place and get to know the board members,” he said. “But it’s important we work as a team for Warren County and I really just want to help contribute to what the current administration is doing.”

Providing opportunities for students to gain an education and help build the local economy by enhancing local businesses is what Chaffin hopes to see during his tenure. He said he would like to continue to serve on the board more than just a two-year term.

“I’ve always been a team player and this is truly something I want to do for the community,” he said.