Thanks for visiting this site to find out more about me and why I am running for Bartow County School Board. Our family has been in Bartow for over 18 years. I serve as Pastor at Lake Point Church in Emerson. My wife is a kindergarten teacher at Emerson Elementary. We have 6 children who have all graduated through the Woodland High School district. I have a degree in education and spent 12 years in the classroom. I feel that my love for Bartow County Schools and the community will bring a balance to student achievement, teacher support, community involvement, and fiscal responsibility.
Thanks for visiting this site to find out more about me and why I am running for Bartow County School Board. Our family has been in Bartow for over 18 years. I serve as Pastor at Lake Point Church in Emerson. My wife is a kindergarten teacher at Emerson Elementary. We have 6 children who have all graduated through the Woodland High School district. I have a degree in education and spent 12 years in the classroom. I feel that my love for Bartow County Schools and the community will bring a balance to student achievement, teacher support, community involvement, and fiscal responsibility.
QUALIFIED TO SERVE
Education Degree - 12 Years in the Classroom
Graduated 6 Children Through Bartow County Schools in the Woodland District
Served 5 Years on Superintendent Advisory Council for Bartow County Schools
Served 2 Years on Georgia State Superintendent Advisory Council
Woodland High School Advisory Council
Red Top Middle School Advisory Council
SERVING OUR COMMUNITY
Leads All Pro Dad program at Emerson Elementary connecting Dads with their children
Frequent speaker at Fellowship of Christian Athletes at several Bartow County Schools
Served as Chaplain and Booster Club President of Woodland High School Football Team
Outreach programs at Allatoona Elementary
Orchestrate weekend meals to all Back Pack Buddy students at Red Top Middle School for the past 12 years
Served on Etowah Foundation Board awarding scholarships to Bartow County students
Served on Bartow Collaborative Board
Served on The Bless Coalition Board
Annual judge for the Bartow County Governor's Honors auditions
QUALIFIED TO SERVE
Education Degree - 12 Years in the Classroom
Graduated 6 Children Through Bartow County Schools in the Woodland District
Served 5 Years on Superintendent Advisory Council for Bartow County Schools
Served 2 Years on Georgia State Superintendent Advisory Council
Woodland High School Advisory Council
Red Top Middle School Advisory Council
SERVING OUR COMMUNITY
Leads All Pro Dad program at Emerson Elementary connecting Dads with their children
Frequent speaker at Fellowship of Christian Athletes at several Bartow County Schools
Served as Chaplain and Booster Club President of Woodland High School Football Team
Outreach programs at Allatoona Elementary
Orchestrate weekend meals to all Back Pack Buddy students at Red Top Middle School for the past 12 years
Served on Etowah Foundation Board awarding scholarships to Bartow County students
Served on Bartow Collaborative Board
Served on The Bless Coalition Board
Annual judge for the Bartow County Governor's Honors auditions.
My Platform
Strong schools build strong communities. Our students deserve the best opportunities to succeed, our teachers deserve the resources to teach effectively, and our families deserve a voice in education. My commitment is to work with parents, educators, and our community to ensure every student has the tools they need to thrive.
Student Learning Achievement
Student success must remain the top priority in our schools.
Strengthen reading and math proficiency, especially in early grades.
Provide tutoring and targeted support for struggling students.
Expand career and technical education pathways.
Promote STEM, arts, and hands-on learning opportunities.
Use data and accountability to continually improve academic outcomes.
Parental Engagement
Parents play a vital role in their child’s education.
Improve communication between schools and families.
Provide clear updates on student progress and school initiatives.
Offer parent workshops and resources to support learning at home.
Hold listening sessions and forums to ensure parents have a voice.
Build stronger partnerships between families and schools.
Community Involvement
Our schools should reflect the strength of our community.
Develop partnerships with local businesses and organizations.
Encourage mentorship and volunteer opportunities.
Promote student community service and leadership programs.
Use school facilities to host community events and activities.
Supporting Teachers
Great teachers create great schools.
Advocate for competitive compensation and strong teacher retention.
Provide quality professional development and mentorship programs.
Ensure classrooms have the resources and technology teachers need.
Foster a supportive environment where teachers can focus on teaching.
Fiscal Responsibility
Taxpayer dollars must be managed with transparency and care.
Pursue continued homestead exemptions and additional tax breaks for seniors.
Promote clear, transparent school budgeting.
Prioritize spending that directly impacts student learning.
Evaluate programs to ensure effectiveness and accountability.
Plan responsibly for long-term growth and facility needs.
My Platform
Strong schools build strong communities. Our students deserve the best opportunities to succeed, our teachers deserve the resources to teach effectively, and our families deserve a voice in education. My commitment is to work with parents, educators, and our community to ensure every student has the tools they need to thrive.
Student Learning Achievement
Student success must remain the top priority in our schools.
Strengthen reading and math proficiency, especially in early grades.
Provide tutoring and targeted support for struggling students.
Expand career and technical education pathways.
Promote STEM, arts, and hands-on learning opportunities.
Use data and accountability to continually improve academic outcomes.
Parental Engagement
Parents play a vital role in their child’s education.
Improve communication between schools and families.
Provide clear updates on student progress and school initiatives.
Offer parent workshops and resources to support learning at home.
Hold listening sessions and forums to ensure parents have a voice.
Build stronger partnerships between families and schools.
Community Involvement
Our schools should reflect the strength of our community.
Develop partnerships with local businesses and organizations.
Encourage mentorship and volunteer opportunities.
Promote student community service and leadership programs.
Use school facilities to host community events and activities.
Supporting Teachers
Great teachers create great schools.
Advocate for competitive compensation and strong teacher retention.
Provide quality professional development and mentorship programs.
Ensure classrooms have the resources and technology teachers need.
Foster a supportive environment where teachers can focus on teaching.
Fiscal Responsibility
Taxpayer dollars must be managed with transparency and care.
Pursue continued homestead exemptions and additional tax breaks for seniors.
Promote clear, transparent school budgeting.
Prioritize spending that directly impacts student learning.
Evaluate programs to ensure effectiveness and accountability.
Plan responsibly for long-term growth and facility needs.
FAQs
1. Why are you running for school board?
I’m running for Bartow County School Board because our schools play a critical role in shaping the future of our students and our community. I believe we need leadership that focuses on student achievement, strong partnerships with parents, support for teachers, and responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars. My goal is to listen to families, work collaboratively with educators, and help ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed. I want to be a voice for positive change that brings people together around what matters most—our students.
2. What do you believe is the most important issue facing our schools?
I believe the most important issue is the well-being of our students, emotionally, mentally, socially, and physically. I spend a lot of time in our schools. I see students achieve great things. However, I also see many students who go into isolation without a purpose. I want to focus on the forgotten ones while we still have them in our care. I also believe in ensuring strong student learning outcomes. Everything we do should support helping students succeed academically and preparing them for life after graduation. That means strengthening foundational skills like reading and math, supporting students who need additional help, and expanding opportunities that prepare students for college, careers, and the workforce. When students succeed, our schools and our community succeed.
3. How should schools work with parents?
Parents are a child’s first and most important teachers. Schools should view parents as partners in the education process. That means clear communication about student progress, transparency about school decisions, and opportunities for parents to be involved. When families and schools work together, students benefit the most. Bartow County Schools are already on the right track in this area. My goal is to help continue to build stronger partnerships so parents always feel informed, respected, and included.
4. What is your position on supporting teachers?
Teachers are the foundation of successful schools. I saw this first-hand as a teacher myself. If we want students to succeed, we must support the educators who work with them every day. That includes ensuring teachers have the classroom resources they need, providing meaningful professional development, and creating a positive work environment that helps retain great educators. Supporting teachers ultimately means supporting student success here in Bartow County.
5. How would you ensure responsible use of taxpayer money?
I want us to continue down the pathway of more homestead exemptions and tax relief for our seniors. Fiscal responsibility is essential. Taxpayers trust the school board to manage resources wisely, and that requires transparency, accountability, and thoughtful planning. I believe funding should prioritize programs and initiatives that directly impact student learning. It’s also important to regularly evaluate programs to ensure they are effective and delivering results. Responsible budgeting helps build trust with the community.
6. How can the community support local schools?
We have an amazing community here in Bartow County. Our schools are strongest when the entire community is involved. Businesses, civic organizations, churches, and volunteers can all play a role in supporting students. Partnerships can create mentorship opportunities, internships, and career pathways that help students see real-world opportunities. When communities invest their time and energy into schools, it creates a stronger environment for everyone. While serving on the Board for the Etowah Foundation, we launched the Future Centers to assist students and parents in the next step after graduation. This is a great example of community support from a great organization.
7. What qualities make you the right person for this position?
I believe the most important qualities for a school board member are listening, collaboration, and a commitment to students. School boards work best when members focus on solutions and bring people together around shared goals. I want to listen to parents, teachers, and community members and work with them to move our schools forward. I learned much of this while teaching in the classroom and by planting a new church in the Emerson community.
Contact Me: (770) 546-0038 (m) [email protected]