Applicants introduced for vacant Board of Education seat

SALISBURY, Md. – Two candidates for the vacant seat on the Wicomico County Board of Education were introduced to the public by the Nominating Commission.

They are Tonya Laird Lewis and Gains Hawkins Jr.

Tonya Laird Lewis has taught in the county, and is currently is a stay-at-home mom and substitute teacher.

She wants to focus on communication, and building stronger bonds with family ties at home to enhance learning in and outside of school.

Gains Hawkins Jr. was a teacher at SU and UMES for 33 years, and is an advocate for what he calls a smart community.

He says Wicomico needs to value their education system and recognize the need for a great public school system to compete in the 21st century.

“I feel that I would be able to bring a positive voice with maybe some solutions to some of the issues that our county currently deals with,” said Lewis.

“The first thing people look for when they want to move to a place is the quality of your public education system, and we’ve got a really good one, but it needs to be great to compete in the 21st century,” said Hawkins Jr.

The Nominating Commission will hold one more public hearing for these applicants. The Wicomico County Council will then have 60 days to make their selection.