Newsest Hamilton County School Board Member George Ricks Sr. Takes Oath

Hamilton County's newest School Board member takes his oath.

Reverend Paul McDaniel swore in George Ricks Sr. at Second Missionary Baptist Church tonight.

He was surrounded by family, friends and some of the parents and students he'll serve.

Ricks will finish the late Debra Matthews term covering district four.

He starts the job at a time when the school system faces a 16 million dollar shortfall.

Board members will have to make tough decisions about closing schools and cutting jobs.

Ricks says he's ready.

"I want to try to keep teachers. I do not want to lose educators. They've worked hard and they've given to the system and anybody know when you become a school teacher you give up a lot and I don't want to lose not one teacher. So that's going to be my biggest priority to try to save every teacher in the system," he says.

Ricks will participate in his first meeting tomorrow.