The State Board of Education, at its December meeting, selected a new slate of officers. Phenna Petty (14^th Congressional District) will serve as Chair, Frank Griffin (2^ndCongressional District) will serve as Vice Chair, and Nick Ellis (1^st Congressional District) will serve as Vice Chair of Appeals.

Outgoing Chair Dr. Stan DeJarnett completed two years of service leading the State Board of Education in December.

“I’m looking forward to working with Phenna, Frank, and Nick to continue making our public schools in Georgia the best they can be,” State School Superintendent Richard Woods said. “All three are student-centered leaders I deeply respect, and all have experience serving local school districts before being appointed to the State Board of Education. I’m also grateful for Dr. DeJarnett’s service leadership, and contributions to public education in Georgia. He cares deeply about Georgia’s students and brought his past experience as a local superintendent and teacher to every decision he made as State board of Education Chair.”

Phenna Petty was appointed to represent the 14^th Congressional District on the State Board of Education after retiring from her role as the Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education Director for Murray County Schools. Petty served Murray County Schools for 23 years. Throughout her career, she has served on numerous boards, including the DFCS Region 1 Board, Georgia Junior Achievement Board, and United Way Women’s Leadership. Petty and her husband of 36 years have two adult children.

“It’s a privilege to step into this role and continue serving Georgia’s students,” Petty said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to work closely with Superintendent Woods, Frank Griffin, Nick Ellis, and the rest of the Board as we strengthen options and opportunities for students across our state. I believe deeply in the power of public education – it has shaped my entire career – and I’m committed to listening and serving our schools, educators, and students in this role.”

Frank Griffin serves as President of Flint Community Bancshares, Inc. and Chief Lending Officer of Flint Community Bank. Griffin graduated from Georgia Southwestern State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science and the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University. He formerly served as the Chair of the Lee County Board of Education and a member of the Albany Technical College Board of Directors, and is a member of Sherwood Baptist Church.

Nick Ellis serves as the City Manager and Director of Public Safety for the City of Jesup. Prior to his appointment, Ellis was the commanding officer of the Jesup Police Department, where he held the rank of captain and oversaw the uniform patrol, special operations, and administrative divisions. Ellis is deeply involved in the Wayne County community, having served as chairman of the Boys and Girls Club of the Altamaha Area Board of Directors and been inducted into the Georgia Division Boys and Girls Club Hall of Fame. He has also served as the Georgia Division Senior Vice President for the Southern States Police Benevolence Association and a member of the Georgia Board of Public Safety. He continues to chair the Wayne County School Safety Committee, established in 2018. Ellis completed two terms on the Wayne County Board of Education and served as board chairman. He is married to Krystal Ellis and they have three children: Amarrion, Dominique, and Kadence.