School board member Williams bids farewell
Outgoing school board member Jo Williams is presented a plaque of recognition from Anderson County Director of Schools Tim Parrott. Williams served the school system for 45 years. (photo:Ben Pounds )
Republican Ray Hagan, with 816 votes, defeated independent incumbent Jo Williams, who received 617 votes in the election.
She worked with Anderson County Schools for nearly 30 years, first as secretary to the director of schools before representing the Claxton and Bull Run district on the Board of Education from November 2007 through August 2026.
Williams, however, pointed out at the Aug. 13 Board of Education meeting, her last, that she started with Daniel Arthur Rehabilitation Center in 1980, making her total time 40 years.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in the school system,” she told her fellow board members and others present. “I will miss it. But I haven’t shed a tear yet and I’m not going to.”
She told the Courier News that she wasn’t sure about what she planned to do next. However, she did not plan to run again despite listing not winning the election as her biggest regret of her career with the school system.
“I think this is just the end,” she said. “Forty-five years with the school system is a lot of time, and I’m proud of my 45 years.
She said she was most proud of how available she’d been to the constituents of her district. The
At the Aug. 13 board meeting the board unanimously passed a resolution honoring her, read aloud by fellow board member Dail Cantrell who described her as “openhearted.”
“I have never heard a negative thing said about you by anyone,” he said.
Anderson County Director of Schools Tim Parrott gave her a plaque.
“I’ve never had to work as a director without you, so I don’t know how that’s going to be,” he said. “I’m glad I’ve still got your number.”
“You will always be part of our story,” he said. “And you will always be part of the success of Anerson County Schools and especially Claxton.” He added that she had been to more student recitals, band and chorale concerts than anyone he knew of. She also regularly wrote emails to teachers and Parrott said she could continue to do so if she wished.
“Jo Williams played a tremendous role in the planning and development of the new Claxton Elementary School, bringing her experience, knowledge, vision, and commitment to a project that will serve generations of Anderson County students,” the resolution stated referring to the school currently being constructed at 105 Fellowship Lane. “Her nearly three decades of service, including 19 years on the Anderson County Board of Education have left an enduring mark on Anderson County Schools and will continue to benefit its students, educators and communities.
The resolution also listed out her service with the Tennessee School Boards Association (TSBA), including serving as an At-Large Member of the TSBA Board of Directors in 2018 and 2019 and as East Director from 2020 through 2021; and as a TSBA Awards Judge for the Student Achievement Award. She was recognized as Level V Master School Board Member in 2012, named an All Tennessee School Board Member in 2017, and received the TSBA Scholars Circle Award in 2019.