(the former Robert Reichsteiner, then and now)

Though this story is over a week old, it has only just been called to my attention. You could blame me, or yourself for not calling it to my attention sooner.

From the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Chris Reinolds.

Without so much as a body slam, real estate agent and former professional wrestler Rick Steiner became Cherokee County’s newest school board member.

The board voted 4-2 on Nov. 10 to appoint Steiner to the seat vacated by Fred Larsen in September. Steiner will stay in the post until the end of 2006, when the seat is up for re-election.

Steiner, 44, said he has quit wrestling and works for Keller Williams Realty in Woodstock. He spoke to the board before the vote.

“Last time I was in front of a microphone five years ago, I was hollering and screaming and ranting and raving. ? This is a lot more terrifying,” he said.

Steiner praised the district’s anti-bullying program and said he would encourage the district to use retired teachers as volunteer tutors. He wants to provide more learning opportunities for teachers and improve technology use in the schools. On the issue of growth, Steiner said more pressure should be put on land developers to donate sites to the school system. He also emphasized his experience as a teacher, fund-raiser and businessman.

Steiner is expected to be sworn in this morning.

“I want to focus my attention on what’s best for the kids,” he said. “I want to be a spoke in the wheel and do whatever I have to do for the kids.”

Steiner has three children who attend E.T. Booth Middle and Harvest Baptist School. He said his younger sons will eventually attend Chapman Intermediate School. He enrolled them in the private Christian school because it gives them a moral base, he said.

While I’m not questioning Steiner’s integrity, I am hopeful that nepotism doesn’t result in Big Poppa Pump being hired as a P.E. teacher.