Members of the Gilmer County Board of Education selected Michele Penland to fill the seat left vacant by the late Michael Bramlett.
The board unanimously approved Penland at a called meeting last Wednesday. She was one of two candidates interviewed by the board and previously ran for the seat, but lost to Bramlett last year.
A press release from the school system last Thursday stated, “The members of the Gilmer County Board of Education compiled a list of qualified citizens, verified candidate interest and interviewed multiple nominees. After careful deliberation and consideration, board members selected. Penland as their appointee to be submitted to the Georgia Secretary of State.”
Penland is a lifelong resident of Gilmer County and spent 31 years working in the Gilmer County School System. She was a teacher and administrator and oversaw testing and secondary curriculum at the district level. She was the director for Career, Technical and Agricultural Education for 10 years.
Penland has been on staff at Mountain Education Charter School for the past five years. She has volunteered her time to the Gilmer College and Career Academy as a governance board member and has assisted with various projects.
In the community, Penland has worked with husband Lee for 30-plus years running Penland’s Apple House.
“A good education is the best investment we can make in our young people in this ever changing world,” Penland said Monday afternoon. “I hope to use my business and educational background, as well as my past experiences to make the best decisions for our students, staff and the people in our community.”
Penland will represent District 4 until the general election of 2024 in which a permanent successor will be elected for the remainder of Bramlett’s term.