On Tuesday, Habersham County Board of Education members Dr. Robert Barron and Doug Westmoreland were sworn into office by Probate Judge Pam Wooley. Both men secured victory in the May primary elections and faced no Democratic challengers in the November General Election. They will begin their new four-year terms on January 1, 2025.
Doug Westmoreland
Westmoreland is set to begin his third term on the Board of Education. Having served two terms already, Westmoreland was sworn in for another term, reaffirming his commitment to continuing progress within the school system.
Following the swearing in, Westmoreland outlined his priorities for the upcoming term, including the ongoing modernization of schools and maintaining the high academic standards the district has set. “We’ve got a great school system,” Westmoreland said. “We want to continue what we’re doing and strive to get better, not get complacent.”
A major focus for Westmoreland in his next term will be school safety. “I would really like to focus on safety. We’ve had some issues regionally and locally with safety concerns,” he explained. He mentioned that new safety measures would be implemented for teachers in the spring, enhancing the district’s preparedness and response to potential threats.
Dr. Robert Barron
Barron, who is completing his fourth term on the Board of Education, was sworn in for his fifth term. As a long-standing member of the board, he expressed his eagerness to continue building on the successes of the district.
Barron shared a similar focus on safety. “There are a lot of areas where safety can be improved upon, not that there is anywhere we are slacking now.” He emphasized that safety would remain a priority during his next term.
In addition to safety, Barron expressed his dedication to maintaining the high academic performance of the district. “Until we get to a hundred or right at it, it’s something to keep working toward,” he said, acknowledging that while the district has made significant strides, there is always room for improvement. Barron credited the quality of teachers and administrators as key factors in the district’s continued success.
Barron also praised the collaborative effort across the district, from school bus drivers and custodians to administrators and board members, all working together with a shared mission: “What’s best for the students.”
