By a 4-0 vote at their March 15, 2016 monthly meeting, the Newton County Board of Education approved the appointment of Mr. Trey Bailey as the new District 1 representative on the school board. He will replace Mr. Stan Edwards, who resigned on March 8, 2016 to run for the District 1 seat on the Newton County Board of Commission.

Mr. Bailey is a native of Newton County and has lived in District 1 for the last 20 years. He is married to his wife of 20 years, Alonda Hodges Bailey—a teacher at Mansfield Elementary School. Mr. and Mrs. Bailey have three daughters (Anna Beth, 10; Kaitlyn, 7; Kristen, 7) who all currently attend Mansfield Elementary School.

Mr. Bailey is the Executive Pastor at Eastridge Community Church, where he has been on staff for 12 years. After graduating from Newton County High School in 1992, he attended the University of Georgia before graduating from Mercer with a Bachelor in Business Information Systems.

Mr. Bailey has served the Covington/Newton County Chamber of Commerce as chairman of Leadership Newton County with five years service and three years on the Special Events Committee. He and his family have a great appreciation for the arts and he volunteers with both the Covington Regional Ballet and the Arts Association of Newton County.

He has a passion for learning and leading. Mr. Bailey’s life mission statement is to be a catalyst for change in whatever opportunity is presented.

Upon his appointment, Newton County School Superintendent Samantha Fuhrey announced that Mr. Bailey would be sworn in as soon as possible.