SPRINGFIELD -- Troy Alford stepped down so his son could take a step up during Wednesday's Effingham County Board of Education meeting.

Alford resigned as District 2's representative moments before the board went into executive session to vote on personnel issues. Included among them was the promotion of his son, Judd, to assistant principal at South Effingham High School. Judd Alford is a longtime teacher at the school.

A state law enacted in 2009 prohibits school board members and superintendents from having immediate family members in high-ranking positions in the districts they serve.

Superintendent Dr. Yancy Ford read Troy Alford's resignation letter before the board begrudgingly voted 4-0 to accept it.

The board honored Troy Alford with a video tribute and reception before going into executive session. His wife, children and grandchildren were in attendnace.

See the June 9 edition of the Herald for more details.