Governance Team Biographies

Board Chair, John Callahan   

john.callahan@socialcircleschools.org 

SCCS Board member since 2012
Term ends 2026

Mr. Callahan moved his family to Social Circle in 1993 because of its reputation as a great place to raise a family. Soon after moving to "the Circle," John and Lisa's first daughter, Maggie Beth, was born in 1995. Maggie Beth graduated as Salutatorian for the Social Circle High - Class of 2013. In 2004, their youngest daughter, Molly, was born. Molly is currently a senior at Social Circle High School and will graduate in 2022. The Callahans have been completely vested in and supportive of Social Circle City Schools for many years. Both John and Lisa have been involved in helping make the community better in other ways. They are members of Social Circle United Methodist Church. John has served on the Board of Education for ten years, beginning his second term as board chair in January 2022. Lisa has been heavily involved with the local Main Street Program. John received his education from Franklin County High School in Carnesville, Georgia, and Georgia College in Milledgeville. He has covered the southeast and southwest for a fleet management company, Wheels Inc., for the last 17 years.

John considers serving on the school board with a servant's heart, supporting ALL students, as one of the most worthwhile and important things he has ever done in his life. His attitude remains - no matter how good we are, we can always be better. He is very proud of where we are now as a school system and is highly optimistic about the future of Social Circle City Schools. John believes the support our school system consistently receives from our community is truly incredible and wants everyone to know it is very appreciated. Go Redskins!!

District 1 Representative, Michael A. O’Conor, Jr.  
michael.oconor@socialcircleschools.org

Board member since 2020
Term ends 2024

Mr. O'Conor was born in Dekalb County and raised in Social Circle, where he attended elementary, middle, and high school. In 1990, he graduated from Social Circle High School and continued his education at Gordon College in Barnesville, GA. Michael returned to Social Circle and began his career at Standridge Color Corp more than 22 years ago. He is a member of Church at The Grove, in Social Circle, and enjoys volunteering in the community. Michael has called Social Circle' home' for more than 40 years and is humbled and dedicated to representing District 1.

Michael is a proud father of six children ranging from 6 to 21 years old. In 2021, he was promoted to Grandpa when his grandson, Zyiere, was born. Michael states, "having a large family has been the toughest but most rewarding job."

District 2 Representative, Rico Jackson 
rico.jackson@socialcircleschools.org

Board member since 2018
Term ends 2026

Mr. Jackson is a lifelong resident of Social Circle. He is a 1992 graduate of Social Circle High School and employed locally at Standridge Color Corp for more than 20 years. Beginning his second term, Rico stated, "I ran for school board for a couple of reasons. One was to serve my community that is familiar to me. Most importantly, I wanted to be a role model for the young men in this community. Through my job and my church, I interact with many young men. I want to be a face they can look to for help. I serve as the financial secretary of my church.

I look forward to continuing my work on the school board and in the community."

Rico has been married to his wife, Angela, for nearly twenty years. They have one daughter, Demecia, and two grandboys.

District 3 Representative, Stephen (Steve) Trantham 
steve.trantham@socialcircleschools.org

Board member since 2020
Term ends 2024

Mr. Trantham settled in Social Circle in December 2001, after retiring from The United States Navy. He worked as the Process Improvement Engineer for Alcoa Corp in Madison, Georgia. Subsequently, Mr. Trantham taught Mathematics before retiring again after 12 years as Lead in the Social Circle High School Math Department. He has earned degrees in Computer Science Engineering from Michigan State University, a Bachelor's degree in Vocational Education from Valdosta State University, and a Master's Degree in Business Administration from Brenau University.

He ran for the school board after retiring as an educator with the initial goals of helping to balance the system's budget and upgrading the Primary school facilities. He is proud of the board's progress in his first term and hopes to see the continued growth in all aspects of Social Circle City Schools.

Steve and his wife, Kathy, have two sons and five grandchildren who keep them feeling young and blessed. They stayed busy helping to raise 27 foster children during their early years in the "Circle ."They continue to remain active in the schools, local civic organizations, and their church's food pantry. Steve also continues to engage in local education as the Technical Education Director for a local manufacturing firm.

District 4 Representative/Vice-Chair Sabrina Renee’ Sanford-Flint 
sabrina.sanford-flint@socialcircleschools.org

Board member since 2018
Term ends 2026

Mrs. Sanford-Flint was born in Bad Kreuznach, Germany but raised in Walton County, Georgia. She graduated from Social Circle High School in 1992 and continued her education at Morris Brown College (undergrad) and Clarke Atlanta University (grad). She, plus her parents, sister, and son, are proud Social Circle High School graduates! In 1999, she returned to her hometown of Social Circle. She started her career with the Department of Family and Children Services in 2000, and 21 years later, she still enjoys what she does! She devotes her time to being heavily involved in volunteering for her church and throughout the community. Board of Directors for the Walton County Partnership, Walton Youth Project, A. P. Henderson Scholarship Foundation, Juneteenth Committee, and Touchdown Booster Club are a few of the committees she serves on. Sabrina works part-time as a mentor at Foothills Charter High School and is a mentor at the Middle School through the Reach Mentoring Program. She also serves on the Principal's Council for the Middle School. Ms. Sanford-Flint tutors five students from 5th to 8th grade in her free time. She is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., whose focus is on Sisterhood, Scholarship, Service, and Social Action. As you can see, she loves her community and tries to give back as much as possible. 

Sabrina ran for the Social Circle City Schools Board of Education to make a difference in the community and provide a voice for the voiceless. As District 4 Representative, she wants to bridge the gaps in education for our subgroups with the resources needed to educate children and parents. She loves the youth! Sabrina has a servant's heart, so being at the table to make decisions for the youth in her community is a top priority for her. She follows in the footsteps of her mother, uncle, and cousin, who also served on the school board years ago. She is excited about the future of Social Circle City Schools and believes that great things are ahead. #SCCSALLIN

Sabrina and her husband, Russell, have Russell, Anderson, and Alexander.

Zone 5 Representative, Lowana Bell 
lowana.bell@socialcircleschools.org

Board member since 2014
Appointed

Ms. Bell was born in Walton County to Joseph and Clara Moon. Raised by her mother, she graduated from Monroe Area Comprehensive High School, in 1982, before continuing her education at Valdosta State. Due to financial hardships, she did not finish college at that time but pursued the workforce as a Credit Manager at Heilig-Meyers' Furniture Store. In 1991, she became a Credit Analyst for a larger furniture chain, and in 1997, she received her greatest blessing - her beautiful daughter, Azariah.

In 2014, she was appointed to the Social Circle City Schools Board of Education. Lowana states, "This was a great opportunity for me because I was always involved with my daughter while she attended Social Circle City Schools. I love working with the community and their children. I took the oath to serve the children of Social Circle City Schools, and this is a very important part of my life that I will always truly cherish."

Thirty-five years later (2020), she decided to attend Valdosta State University online to complete her degree in Criminal Justice. Lowana is a traveling amateur ladies' slow-pitch softball player. Softball is the hobby she loves and has participated in since she was 18 years old.

Zone 5 Representative, Randy Carithers  
randy.carithers@socialcircleschools.org

Board member since 1998
Appointed

Randy Carithers, our longest serving board member, began serving in 1998. A lifelong resident and Mayor of Jersey, GA, Randy is one of two representatives of the Zone 5 District. Following graduation from Social Circle High School, Randy continued his education at the University of Georgia. He is self-employed and operates a landscaping and lawn care business. Randy is a member of Jersey Holiness Church and the Walton County Cattlemen's Association. When he's not working, he enjoys hunting and raising cattle.

Randy and his wife, Kitty, have three children, Brittany, Courtenay, and Jared, and two grandsons. Randy joined the board to "help ensure that the children of our community get the best education possible."