FAYETTEVILLE, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Three members of the Fayette County Board of Education officially began new four-year terms Monday evening after being sworn in during a special meeting at the Fayette County Board of Education office.
The board also selected its leadership and committee assignments for the next two years.
The Honorable Fayette County Circuit Judge Sam Fox administered the oath of office to incumbent members Pat Gray and Joby Groom, who were reelected in the May 2026 election, along with newly elected board member Diane Callison.
Callison succeeds the late Coach Gary Ray, who served on the board until the end of his term before his death. Following Ray’s passing, his wife, Cindy Ray, was appointed to fill the seat until the newly elected board members were sworn in.
Gray, who has served as board president for several years, was unanimously reelected by fellow board members to continue serving as president for another two-year term.
Former educator and basketball coach Joby Groom also began his second term on the board after being reelected in May.
Diane Callison, executive director of the Fayette County Family Resource Network, was sworn in for her first term as the board’s newest member.
The board also unanimously elected Cindy Whitlock to serve as vice president for the next two years.
Following the election of officers, board members approved committee and organizational assignments for the coming term.
Josh Crist was appointed as the board’s representative to the Southern Educational Services Cooperative (ESC). Groom was reappointed as the board’s representative to the West Virginia University Extension Service.
Callison was appointed to represent the board on the Fayette County Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, while Whitlock was selected to serve as the board’s representative on the Family Resource Network.
Board members also unanimously approved a personnel action appointing Danielle Baird as cafeteria manager for Save the Children.
Before adjourning, the board announced its next regular meetings will be held July 14 and July 28 at 6 p.m. at the Fayette County Board of Education office.
