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December 31, 2008

Markwalter readies for term on Board of Education

Jonathan Jackson

After a December runoff, J. Ray Markwalter officially became the school board member from Baldwin County’s third district today, ushering in a new year.

Markwalter finds himself on the board following the resignation in July of longtime Baldwin County Board of Education member Judy Ivey. Markwalter qualified for the office in June and entered a field of three candidates. He survived the general election, which eliminated special education teacher and candidate Michael Screws, then won the seat following a runoff with veteran educator Louise Simmons Austin. Markwalter entered school board training the next day in Atlanta with his fellow board members Wilbur Manson, District 1; board chairman Harold B. Simmons, District 2; newly elected John Noah Jackson, District 4 and Jeff McAfee, District 5.

Markwalter and wife Ellen are both retired educators. Markwalter spent 10 years teaching in Putnam and Wilkinson counties and at Boddie Middle School, Georgia Military College Prep School and Junior College and John Milledge Academy.

Markwalter’s business experience ranges from 30 years in real estate to fast food. He launched Arby’s restaurants in Australia before returning to Baldwin County.

Since announcing his candidacy, Markwalter has advocated a return to basic teaching as well as an initiative for improving communication and the relationship between teachers and the school board office. Markwalter is also an advocate for trimming the school budget. He told The Union-Recorder earlier in the year that the previous board’s action of raising the millage rate in fall 2007 after the passage of a Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax was unfair.

“It was upsetting last fall that the school board raised the millage rate so soon after garnering votes for a fourth Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax,” he said.

Markwalter also said he would push for the elimination of compensation of board members by the school system. He also said he would like to see term limits for board members, as well as minimum qualifications for holding a seat on the board.

Markwalter is an Eagle Scout and was in the first MAT program at Georgia College. He was awarded the personal achievement award in 1998.

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