The Jackson County Board of Education voted Monday night to appoint Mr. Ryan Brooks to fill a now vacant seat for District 3. Brooks will be sworn in later this month during the Board of Education's annual retreat. 

Brooks, who has qualified to run in this year's election, will fill a vacant seat left void by Mr. Ryan Smoot. Upon being appointed to the Board of Education in February, Smoot learned he did not live inside District 3, instead residing inside District 4. As a result, Smoot resigned his seat. 

"After learning that my residence is in District 4 rather than District 3, I understand that I’ll need to step down from the position," Smoot said. "I appreciate your understanding, and I  am grateful for the opportunity I had to be involved."  

Brooks is a longtime resident of Jackson County. He attended Maysville Elementary School and is a 2009 graduate of East Jackson High School. He said his passion for serving students, staff and the community is a driving force behind his desire to serve on the Board of Education.

"Being around my kids in sports, I have a passion for the younger generation," Brooks said. "I know the impact I put on my child's life and I know there are others. I tell parents when I coach, 'I am going to hug on your kid and build them up.' I am trying to build up a better generation of kids. 

"I feel like the greatness of what is going on in the school system is contagious and I want to be  a part of that to support our kids, our teachers and the concerns of the community daily."

Brooks and his wife are high school sweethearts and married in 2014. They have two children, ages 9 and 1.