It wasn’t unanimous, but the selection of a new school board chair in DeKalb was decided by a super majority of the historically fractious group.
Retired DeKalb school system administrator and newly-elected board member Melvin Johnson got the nod from his colleagues Wednesday in a 7-2 vote. Johnson’s candidacy was uncontested: Nancy Jester nominated Pam Speaks, but Speaks declined. They both voted against Johnson.
The decision puts a new generation of board members in the spotlight. The board recently selected Jim McMahan as vice chair. He, Johnson and Marshall Orson joined the nine-member body this year, after winning elections last year.
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