Forsyth County Schools swears in three newly elected board members

Forsyth County Schools held a special swearing-in ceremony to seat three newly elected members — Christopher (Chris) Grimes, Tricia Hoyes and Dorian Usherwood — in a program that included an invocation, oath administration by local judges, brief remarks and photo opportunities. The event preceded the board’s regularly scheduled meeting later the same day.

The ceremony included an invocation by Pastor Jeff Jackson of First Redeemer Church and oaths administered by Judge Daisy Weeks and Judge Heather Dunn. After each oath, veteran board members presented pins and offered short remarks welcoming the new members to the board.

Speakers emphasized collegiality and a focus on students. Mike Valdez, identified during the event as the board’s vice chair, told the room that board service is not a financial reward, saying, “we make, you know, a few $100 a month as board members… We do this because we love the kids.” He urged the new members to “trust our people,” to “work the process” and to “stick together,” calling those habits central to the district’s governance.

The new members each gave brief remarks and thanked family, community members and educators who supported them. Christopher Grimes described his roots in Forsyth County and his public-safety background, noting prior roles as a deputy sheriff, county EMA director and 911 director and previous service as a school safety manager. Tricia Hoyes said she spent 15 years as an educator, including two years in Forsyth County Schools, and later moved into real estate and foster care service with her family. Dorian Usherwood outlined roughly 29 years of private-sector experience in consulting, data and technology, said his family includes educators, and noted the family’s return to Forsyth in 2021.

Organizers and speakers also noted a milestone highlighted during remarks: a participant observed that Usherwood is the first Black American elected to office in Forsyth County; that comment was delivered by a speaker during the ceremony and not by a formal announcement from the board. No votes or policy decisions were taken at the event; the gathering was ceremonial and procedural, culminating in an invitation for photographs and refreshments before the board’s 5:30 p.m. meeting.

The oaths administered recited support for the U.S. Constitution and the Constitution of Georgia and asked each member to affirm they met residency and qualification requirements. Judges Weeks and Dunn each administered both the official oath and a separate loyalty oath to the individuals sworn in.

The board scheduled its first regular call meeting for 5:30 p.m. later the same day; event organizers invited attendees to the lobby for photos and refreshments before that meeting.