In early 2011 when Mrs. Virginia Sharpe’s health no longer allowed her to serve on the Vidalia City Board of Education, she recommended a special young man to fulfill her unexpired term. On April 28 of that year, Doug Roper was approved for the seat and has represented Ward 1 since that time. Tuesday night, Roper officially resigned from the Board as required because he has announced he will be qualifying to run for the office Mayor of the City of Vidalia later this month.

At the August meeting of the Vidalia City Board of Education, Vidalia City School Superintendent Dr. Garrett Wilcox lauded Roper for the commitment he has given to the children of the public school system in Vidalia, as well as the educators, school staff and the entire community.

Members of the Vidalia City Board of Education are not compensated for this service, meaning none of the Board members receive any money to serve. The Vidalia City Board of Education is only one of four in the State of Georgia who does not pay individuals to serve on the Board.  But for Roper, he went even further, and served for a time as the President of the Georgia School Board Association, again without any compensation. GSBA is the organization that provides training and more for Boards of Education across the State of Georgia.

As he exits his post, Roper affirmed that he believes strongly in public education and assured the Board members that he would always be available if needed.

The Charter of the Vidalia City Board of Education allows the remaining Board members to appoint someone to fill Roper's unexpired term and until the next election, and that will be done as soon as possible.

To hear the audio of an interview with Doug Roper, click the link below.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VAzJ8WIZa0m7wE1naw4dqA8sN164O4Jw/view?usp=sharing