Troy Alford is ready to get back to work with the Effingham County Board of Education.

Alford secured a second term on the board, holding off a challenge from local businessman Talbert Edenfield for his District 2 seat, in Tuesday’s election.

“I said in my platform there is still work to be done,” Alford said. “If we could have a good, clean campaign — and Talbert and I did — I could get back in there and finish what needed to be done.

“We do a lot of things right, but there is still a lot to do,” he added. “We’ve got good facilities and good, proper training for our administrators and teachers.  We’ve got $3.2 million from the state for the career academy. We’ve come a long way.”

Alford outpolled Edenfield 2,580-1,308 and those who voted Tuesday favored him 1,691-833. He said the board’s designation as a board of distinction was an accomplishment and the board also is delighted that its goal of having all 13 schools earn adequate yearly progress was met.

One of the biggest objectives for the board is the safety of the schools, Alford said, “and the concern we all have to get them educated and get them well educated. I think we’re in the right direction and I’ll do everything I can to get ’em there.”

When Alford first ran for the board, the school system was growing by nearly 500 students each summer. He believes that kind of growth isn’t going to go away.

“As we see this election come and go today, the economy will turn and we’ll see more growth in Effingham County, without a doubt,” he said.