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Ocala
Friday, March 29, 2024

Marion County School Board members take oaths, elect new Chair and Vice-Chair

Four members of the Marion County School Board took their oaths of office this week inside the School Board Chambers located at 1614 E Fort King Street in Ocala.

Newly elected school board member Lori Conrad, whose two-year term concludes in 2024, took her oath of office from her pastor, Rev. Marc Cummings of Church of Hope in Ocala. Her husband, Tom, held the Bible while she took her oath.

School board member Lori Conrad, District 2, taking her oath - November 2022
School board member Lori Conrad, District 2, taking her oath (Photo courtesy of Marion County Public Schools)

Conrad represents District Two and its many schools in southern Marion County and Belleview, the Lake Weir area, and Silver Springs Shores.

Returning school board member Rev. Eric Cummings, whose second term concludes in 2026, took his oath of office from Rev. Dr. Tommie Brooks of New St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Ocala. While taking his oath, his sons, Eric II and Emmanuel, held the bible.

School Board member Eric Cummings, District 3, taking his oath - November 2022
School Board member Eric Cummings, District 3, taking his oath (Photo courtesy of Marion County Public Schools)

Cummings represents District Three, which includes schools primarily in southwest Marion County, Dunnellon, Marion Oaks, and Ocala.

Voters also reelected Nancy Thrower, whose term concludes in 2026. She took her oath of office from Rev. James McKinnon, pastor of Lifeline Community Church in Reddick. Thrower’s former principal at North Marion High School, Walt Miller, held the Bible for her installation. Miller hired Thrower for her first job with MCPS.

School Board member Nancy Thrower, District 4, taking her oath - November 2022
School Board member Nancy Thrower, District 4, taking her oath (Photo courtesy of Marion County Public Schools)

Thrower represents District Four, which includes many schools in and around the Ocala city limits.

Newly elected Sarah James, Ed.D. took her oath of office from her mother, Shanon Gibson, Ed.D. Her term runs through 2026. Her husband, Danny, held the bible during the ceremony.

School Board nember Sarah James, District 5, taking her oath - November 2022
School Board nember Sarah James, District 5, taking her oath (Photo courtesy of Marion County Public Schools)

James represents District Five, which includes schools located in northern Marion County as well as several charter schools.

The Marion County School Board - November 2022
The Marion County School Board (from left to right): Chair Allison Campbell, Vice-Chair Nancy Thrower, Lori Conrad, Eric Cummings, and Sarah James (Photo courtesy of Marion County Public Schools)

Once seated, the new school board members elected Allison Campbell as its chair for the next year. Campbell joined the board two years ago following her public election.

Board members also elected Nancy Thrower as their vice-chair, a position she previously held in 2019-2020.

For more information, please contact the MCPS Public Relations Office at 352-671-7555.