Mr. Gregory Prudich is a member of the Mercer County Board of Education.  He was first elected in 1998 and currently serves as the board president.  Greg is the current executive board member of the WV School Board Association and is a past board member of the WV Secondary Schools Activities Commission.  Greg is a native of Mercer County, graduating valedictorian from Montcalm High School.  He graduated with Honors with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from Concord University and attained his Doctor of Jurisprudence from South Texas College of Law in Houston, Texas in 1985. 

Greg has spent most of his adult life working on education issues and has been involved in many aspects of the local education system as a parent, citizen and board member.  Prior to becoming a member of the local school board, Greg served on his local LSIC, the County PASS Committee, the County Safe Schools Committee, the County School to Work Committee, as well as various athletic and co-curricular booster clubs.  Since being elected, he has given much attention to Technical Education, in adding new programs, in developing embedded credit and in working to further strengthen vocational technical education program.  Greg has served on various boards and local entities, including CASE of Southern West Virginia, the Mercer County Fire Service Board, and the Southern Regional Community Corrections Board.  One of his proudest associations is having guided the local Little League Baseball program to state prominence. 

He currently practices law at the Law Offices of Gregory S. Prudich, located in Princeton, WV.  Greg resides in Princeton with his wife Penny.  They have four wonderful children, one grandchild and have been married for 37 wonderful years.

Jacinda Santon Smith was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Mercer County Board of Education in March 2016 and subsequently elected to the position in November of that year.  She is a lifelong resident of Mercer County and attended Mercer Elementary School as well as Princeton Junior and Senior High Schools.  She received her Bachelors and Masters degrees in Business from Wake Forest University.  Jacinda has served as the Administrator of Blue Ridge Internal Medicine since 2000.  

As a dedicated supporter of our students and staff, Jacinda’s goal is to visit at least one classroom each day of the school year.  

In addition to her active involvement with Mercer County Schools, Ms. Smith serves on the Board of Governors for the Chuck Mathena Center, the Board of Directors for the Jonathan Powell Hope Foundation, and the Board of Directors for Read Aloud Mercer County.  She lives in Princeton with her husband, Dr. Todd Smith, and their daughter, Kate. 

Mr. Paul Hodges has served on the Mercer County Board of Education since July 2012.  Mr. Hodges holds a Bachelor of Science in Education with fields in Art and Social Studies from Concord College/University, a Master of Arts in Social Studies Education from Marshall University, and 45 hours post-Master’s degree work with credit from a variety of institutions. 

Mr. Hodges began teaching in 1964 at Sissonville High School.  He taught at Athens High School from 1974-1994, then at PikeView High School from 1995 until he retired in 2008.  After retirement, he continued as a substitute teacher from 2008-2012. 

Mr. Hodges and his wife, Nancy, have one daughter, Tracy, and two grandsons, Tyler and Thomas.  His prior public service includes Athens Town Council from 2001-2012 and Mercer County Board of Health.  He currently serves as a member of the Concord Alumni Association Executive Council, Criminal Justice Board, and Athens Lions Club.

Message from Mr. Bailey:

My wife, daughters, and I have all been educated by Mercer County Schools, and we are lifelong Mercer County residents.  I firmly believe that we have excellent schools here in Mercer County.  We are fortunate not only to have an excellent school system, but we also have a hidden gem in the MCTEC Program.  I look forward in assisting, guiding and leading Mercer County to a continued future of an outstanding foundation for education.

I have been a volunteer football coach for the last 15 years at Bluefield High School, which I have thoroughly enjoyed.  I have served on the Local School Improvement Council and managed the basketball concessions for 8 seasons at Bluefield High School.  I have had the enjoyment of serving as a student mentor to many students over the years.

I have been a self-proprietor of my family owned business assisting in Employee benefits for local businesses here in Mercer County since 1998.  I have honorably served on the Bluefield City Board for 2 terms, or 8 years.  I have also had the pleasure to serve as a Fire Department Commissioner for the City of Bluefield.

The lasting relationships and business experience I have gained throughout the years will truly benefit the direction of the students and staff in our public schools.  I am prepared to devote my time and talents to meeting any needs necessary to help grow Mercer County's academic performance, making lasting foundations for our community to continue to thrive now and in the future.