The Franklin County Commission filled two School Board positions Monday by appointing Sarah Marhevsky and Caycee Roberts to respectively fill seats formerly held by Adam Tucker and the late Gary Hanger.
Roberts’ selection carried special meaning because she is the daughter of Mr. Hanger who passed away on May 24 from a heart attack.
Roberts said she welcomes the opportunity to carry on the strong educational tradition that her father had established as a veteran educator in the Franklin County School System.
“It’s an honor to be able fulfill his position on the board,” she said. “I have a deep love for education in this county, and I look forward to going to work.”
Roberts was selected by a 12-2 margin over former Board Member Betty Jo Drummond to represent the Seventh District which includes the Tullahoma, Center Grove and Estill Springs areas.
Those in favor were Commissioners Johnny Hughes, Helen Stapleton, Barbara Finney, Doug Goodman, Angie Fuller, Gene Snead, Adam Casey, Carolyn Montoye-Wiseman, Scottie Riddle, Dale Schultz, Greg King and Chuck Stines.
Commissioners David Eldridge and Lydia Curtis Johnson supported Drummond.
Commissioners Don Cofer and Sam Hiles were absent.
Marhevsky, who will represent the Fifth District which includes Sewanee, was the only one nominated for the position. She replaces Tucker who accepted a law position in Murfreesboro and had to move out of the school district.
Marhevsky received support from all 14 commissioners who were present.
Like Roberts, she said she welcomes the chance to serve on the board.
“I’m looking forward to the opportunity to continue working with the school system and be in a position to hopefully make a difference,” Marhevsky said.
Marhevsky moved to Sewanee in 2010 with her husband, Matthew Rudd, a math professor at the University of the South. The couple has two children who attend Sewanee Elementary School.
Marhevsky has taught high school English in a variety of settings, including Chicago, Illinois; an Austin, Texas, suburb; and in Moscow, Idaho.
She has served as the Sewanee Parent Organization president.
Roberts had also been an educator in the past, but she left the field to fulfill a role as a parent to two young children while also operating a business.
She said she plans “to work tirelessly to serve the county” as a School Board member.
