CLEVELAND, Tenn.-George Meacham, a retired business owner, took the oath of office Friday to serve on the Cleveland Board of Education.
Meacham will serve the remaining year in the term of Evelyn Rockholt, who retired earlier this month.
Meacham was nominated last week by City Councilman Charlie McKenzie to fill the vacancy in the First District. Council members usually nominate replacements when vacancies occur in their district.
"I will just be filling out the remainder of her term," Meacham said.
At least for now, he said, he has no plans to run for election next year.
"I will work for the teachers and students and work closely with the new director," Meacham said before taking the oath from Mayor Tom Rowland in the mayor's office. "I attend about all the school sports events. That's one of my biggest interests."
Meacham was born in Chattanooga and grew up in Rossville. A Georgia Tech graduate, he came to Cleveland with Burlington Industries in 1960. He operated a small business from 1974 until 1998, when he retired.
"He has lived in the 1st District more than 40 years and will be a good representative for the district on the school board," McKenzie said.
Rockholt announced her resignation last month. She first was elected to the board in 2004. She and her husband, former Cleveland High School Principal Chuck Rockholt, moved to Florida.