VALDOSTA — Michael Thomas is joining the Lowndes High School Georgia Bridgemen.

After his resignation as the band director of Valdosta High School was approved at a Valdosta Board of Education meeting March 26, Thomas was approved Monday, May 6, to become an assistant band director and music teacher for Lowndes High School, according to Lowndes County Schools personnel recommendations.

The award-winning band director’s resignation with VHS officially takes place in June, and Thomas will begin with the Bridgemen in the 2019-20 school year.

Because it was a personnel issue, city schools officials and Thomas did not comment — other than the quote below — on why he resigned from his VHS position.

“The Valdosta Board of Education accepted the VHS band director’s resignation at the board meeting on March 26,” Valdosta City Schools said in an email statement. “He will continue to work through the end of his 12-month contract as VHS band director, which will be June 20, 2019.”

However, the VHS band community was vocal in weeks prior to Thomas’ resignation. Many attended a March 13 city school board meeting in outrage of Thomas’ rumored departure.

“In the spirit of Winnersville, I request that the Board of Education reconsider and renew Mr. Thomas’ contract and not destroy a great, award-winning program,” said Dan Davis, a Valdosta business owner and father of a former VHS band member and student, at the March 13 city school board meeting.

Thomas was with the VHS band for 13 years. In that time, he was awarded the Georgia Music Educators Association Music Educator of the Year in 2017.

Katelyn Umholtz is a reporter with the Valdosta Daily Times. She can be contacted at (229)244-3400 ext. 1256.