The Cherokee County School Board chose a new chairman Monday in a reorganization following last week’s trustee elections.

Donnie Lee Smith was unanimously elected chairman. Smith previously served as chairman from 2007-2008. He replaces Billy Blackwell who had chaired the board for the past two years.

Smith is midway through his third term representing District 4 in Blacksburg. He was elected to his current term in 2008 and previously was on the school board from 1996-2000.

“This is indeed an honor,” Smith said. “I hope we will keep kids in mind with every decision we make. Every decision affects someone’s household and the livelihood of our taxpayers. I thank the school board for their support.”

Newly elected school trustee Ron Garner was elected vice chairman.

Garner and Smith were the only nominees for the two offices. School trustees voted 5-4 to select Willie Crosby as the board secretary. Barry Bailey, Garner, Smith, Mike Ellis and Alan McEntire voted for Crosby.

Smith asked school board members to let him know about their interest in serving on a specific committee. Smith said he will make a decision later on whether any changes will be made.

At Monday’s meeting, school trustees voted 8-1 to get bids on the cost of hiring additional security to work traffic at Gaffney High School in the mornings and afternoons. Crosby voted against the motion. Interim superintendent Kim Bagwell said the Gaffney Police Department recommended the district work with a security company to hire security guards for safety reasons to help with traffic flow at the county’s largest school.