The Covington County Board of Education welcomed a new member to its ranks Monday night.

Local optometrist James Barton won the Republican nomination for the seat in March, and was unopposed in the General Election. Monday’s meeting, which was followed by the board’s Christmas dinner, was the first since the Nov. 8 election.

Barton won Place No. 3 on the board, which had been held for three terms by Lynda Powell.

The board:

• Adopted a data governance policy, which provides guidelines for protection of information such as test results, special education and demographics.
• Hired Erica Renee Ziglar as special ed teacher at Florala High School. Ziglar, a Straughn graduated, recently completed her internship at FHS.
• Granted family medical leaves of absence to Loran Rabren Rigdon, elementary teacher at Red Level Elementary School, and Juanita M. Ellisor, elementary teacher at W.S. Harlan Elementary School.
• Was told repairs to the Straughn High School roof damaged last February by storms will begin this week and be finished in three to four week. Insurance will cover the costs.
• Set its next regular meeting for 5:30 p.m. on Tues., Jan. 3.