PERRY -- After serving on the Houston County Board of Education for more than a decade, Chairman Tom Walmer is stepping down, he announced Saturday. His last board meeting will be Tuesday,

Walmer has served on the board for the past 11 years after initially stepping in when a former board member resigned. This is his fifth year as chairman.

Walmer remembers those initial years as chairman, especially the amount of learning that took place.

“It’s a huge learning curve,” he said.

Walmer announced his resignation during an emotional end to Saturday’s board of education retreat. Fellow board members and school officials gave Walmer a teary-eyed standing ovation. Walmer said he is resigning due to personal reasons concerning his employment.

“Under Tom’s leadership as chairman, keeping us together, handling things the way he’s handled them, it’s made it worthwhile,” board member Fred Wilson said. “And I’ve been glad to come to board meetings.”

Vice Chairman Marianne Melnick called Walmer a respected leader and a good mentor.

“I’ve been so blessed to serve with you,” she said. “You are a good leader, and you keep this board on track.”

Melnick will take over Walmer’s duties as chairman, and the board will be charged with appointing someone to take his seat on the board until next year’s elections, Walmer said.

As they spoke about Walmer, school officials and board members agreed that they will be hard shoes to fill.

“In 30-plus years, I’ve never been around a better board member,” Superintendent Robin Hines said. “I’ve never seen anybody who made decisions and studied the way Tom has. He’s been a great chair. He has led this board in such a professional way.”

To contact writer Jenna Mink, call 256-9751.