SPRINGFIELD — Lamar Allen wasn’t present for the Effingham County Board of Education’s first meeting of 2021. Thoughts of him were extremely evident, however.

The board unanimously elected Allen to his 12th term as chairman Wednesday while he was in a hospital battling COVID-19. He contracted the respiratory disease in early December.

Superintendent Dr. Yancy Ford expressed his concern for Allen, District 3’s board representative, after the vote.

“He has been our chairman for twelve years and I know that he wants to get back and continue four more years serving this community, and serving this year as our chairman,” Ford said. “He is a very diligent, hard worker who cares a lot about the kids and the staff of Effingham County. If you could just continue to pray for his family and the doctors’ guidance and healing so that we can get him back with us, I would certainly appreciate it.”

Ford also issued a few words about District 2’s Troy Alford, who was unanimously elected vice chairman. Like Allen, Alford won his fifth term on the board last summer.

“... Thank you for your guidance and leadership, and you will have to step up and serve as the chairman in Mr. Allen’s absence,” the superintendent said.

“It would be my honor,” Alford replied.