Dowdell named chairman of Coweta County school board
By REBECCA LEFTWICH
rebecca@newnan.com
Thanking outgoing chair Sue Brown for her service, Winston Dowdell took over as chairman of the Coweta County Board of Education on Tuesday.
Dowdell was part of a slate of nominations put forth by board member Frank Farmer, who also nominated Harry Mullins for vice chairman and Graylin Ward for treasurer. School board members unanimously approved the new officers.
Dowdell said the board will be focused on student services and achievement, supporting the school system and the community. He urged board members to continue to act professionally and follow the law.
Brown – the first woman to serve as Coweta County Board of Education chair – earned further praise from Mullins later in the meeting.
“I just want to personally tell Ms. Brown thank you for serving as board chairman for the past two years,” Mullins said. “We had a new superintendent and new board members, and while we were working through that transition, you brought a calming atmosphere this board really needed.
“I’ll always be proud to say I served with the first female chairperson of the Coweta County Board of Education,” Mullins added.
Dowdell, a longtime Coweta County educator, administrator and former associate superintendent, has served as vice chairman for the past two years.
By law, Superintendent of Schools Steve Barker must serve as secretary for the board. Keith Chapman, school system comptroller, is assistant secretary/treasurer and Connie Hanson, executive secretary for Coweta schools, is clerk.
