By DON FLETCHER
News Staff Writer
Danny Benjamin, who has for the past 36 years represented District 2 on the Escambia County Board of Education, will vacate his seat after he was defeated by political newcomer Greg Dawkins in the November 5 General Election.
Benjamin said during the November 4 school board meeting that he hoped the district’s electorate would keep him on the board for another six-year term.
“I’ve been on this board for 36 years and I’ve worked with 10 superintendents,” he said. “I hope and pray I’ll still be here after tomorrow. I don’t know for sure, but I was told that I’m the third-longest serving school board member in the state, and I’m proud of that.”
That tenure will formally end when Dawkins is sworn in and takes the District 2 seat during a special meeting set for 2:30 p.m. this Friday, November 15, at the school system’s Brewton Central Office.
Benjamin garnered 965 votes in last week’s balloting, while Dawkins — Internet Technology and Geographic Information Systems Manager for Southern Pine Electric Cooperative since 1998 — was chosen by 1,112 of the district’s voters (53.5 percent) as their new representative.
After the election, Benjamin wished his replacement well.
“I’ve enjoyed my 36 years on the school board,” he told the Brewton Standard. “I wish nothing but the best for our schools, and I wish Mr. Dawkins all the best.”
Dawkins told potential voters during his campaign to unseat Benjamin that he has a plan he feels will help the school system “be all that it can be for students, teachers and staff.”
Among the items he has pledged to address are a revision of the system’s dress code for students, protection of parental rights in the educational process, expanding vocational and technological resources and protecting the students.
Benjamin’s seat won’t be the only one changing hands, as Jerry Wilson, a 14-year employee of Georgia Pacific Brewton Mill, defeated 12-year District 3 rep Mike Edwards by a 515-223 margin in the March Republican Primary.
Edwards said his goodbyes during the November 4 meeting, his last before Wilson, who will also be sworn to office during the Friday meeting, claims the seat.
District 7’s Coleman Wallace, who ran unopposed and earned his third six-year term on the school board, will also be administered the oath of office at the special session.