Landers honored for his years of service to Walton County schools

On Tuesday last week, Coleman Landers attended his last meeting as a member of the Walton County Board of Education.

If he was hoping it would be a quiet affair, he was out of luck.

“Tonight’s all about you,” board chair Tom Gibson informed Landers early in the meeting, and he was only one of several members who took the time to bid Landers a heartfelt farewell in Landers’ final go-round on the board.

“I want to thank you for all you have done for the students, the staff and the district for the past 20 years,” Gibson said. “I hope to be there one day.”

Coleman Landers was elected to the District 4 seat on the WCBOE in 2004 and served through the tenures of multiple superintendents, saw the construction of nearly a dozen school buildings, helped guide the board through recessions and pandemics and remained the calm, unflappable center of the board throughout.

David Breedlove, District 7 board member, perhaps summed it up best.

“You are bigger than life,” Breedlove said. “There’s no way around that. I’ve learned a lot from you.”

Landers chose not to run for another term this year. The open seat was won by Ned Butler, who will be sworn in next month to start his term in 2025.

But on Tuesday, Landers was still in the seat for one last meeting, and his friends and colleagues made sure to make it one to remember.

The night held several surprises for Landers, who was ambushed with a reception in his honor as part of the board’s monthly meeting. 

His family was in attendance — “I knew something must be up when I saw my grandson was here,” Landers admitted — as well as community leaders, former Walton County School District superintendents Gary Hobbs and Nathan Breedlove and friends and loved ones throughout Walton County.

The meeting also had a performance by the Monroe Area High School chorus, who in addition to two Christmas carols also performed the alma mater for Carver High School, where Landers graduated in 1966. 

Landers could be seen singing along with a suspicious glint in his eye as his alma mater’s song wrapped up.

Chip Underwood, current superintendent for WCSD, said Landers had been a mainstay in Walton County throughout his tenure.

“He exemplifies a lifelong dedication to education,” Underwood said, pointing to Landers’ work not only on the board, but on the Georgia School Board Association, the local Boys & Girls Club and more. “Mr. Landers has been an integral person on the Walton County Board of Education since 2005. He leaves lasting legacy in the local community.”

Landers thanked everyone for their well wishes and said he was proud to have served on the board for the past two decades.

“I’ve had some great times here,” Landers said. “It’s been a great way to serve the community. There are so many people to thank and remember. I’ve had a great time.”

Landers also said he felt he was leaving the board in good hands and had no intention of keeping track of the board, saying they were in good shape to go on without him.

“We have the right superintendent for Walton County,” Landers said. “I’m not going to come check on you. But I’ll miss all of you.”