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Dan McAlexander will soon be shifting to oversee a younger group of students.

The former LaGrange College president was voted onto the Troup County School Board on Tuesday defeating candidates Raquel Neal and Inetha Hatten for the District 5 seat.

McAlexander received 737 (54.35%) votes avoiding a need for a runoff in the three-candidate race. Neal came in second earning 391 (28.83%) votes followed by Hatten with 228 (16.81%).

McAlexander was already out on Wednesday picking up his campaign signs, relieved he didn’t have to participate in a runoff election.

“I was hoping it wouldn’t be a runoff,” McAlexander said. “We had great support. A lot of people standing behind me and then the voter turnout I was very pleased with.”

He said he was delighted and heartened by the support he received in the community and is looking forward to serving.

“I think it’s going to be a good board and I look forward to serving. I’m really pleased with the new superintendent that this board has chosen. I think [Dr. Rachel B. Hazel] has great potential and look forward to supporting her.”

Neal congratulates McAlexander on winning the race, noting she enjoyed the experience.

“When the Lord laid it on my heart to run for the Troup County School Board, I wondered what was he thinking? However, I was obedient and obedience is never to be regretted. This entire experience has been amazing. Congratulations to all the winners, I’m praying for our political leaders in this county and nation because the next four years are crucial. Of course, I wanted to win, and this morning, I consider myself a winner all the way around,”  Neal said.

“Thank you to every single person who donated to my campaign, who prayed for me, who put signs in your yard, shared my post on social media, who called me, who texted me Bible verses every day, and to all of you who voted for me. Your support means the world. This is just the beginning,” she said.

Hatten said she doesn’t know if she will run for election again but said she enjoyed the experience and learned a lot.

“I had a great experience. I learned a lot. I didn’t know a lot about campaigning. It was just a great learning experience. And of course, it was an eye-opener,” Hatten said.

Hatten said she will continue helping the community and the school children of Troup County through her work as president of the Troup County Chapter of the NAACP.