Six people have applied for the vacant school board position on the Chattooga County Board of Education. On Monday morning, School Supt. Jared Hosmer released questionnaires that were sent to all six candidates. You can see the candidates’ responses below:
Morgan Reynolds
Tell us a little about yourself and why you would like to serve on this board
My name is Morgan Reynolds. I have a passion for being involved in our community and helping to impact the future students in a positive way. I have a background in business, and have my MBA. I also have experience in education from volunteering to working in higher education. I would like to serve as a member of the board because I have a strong passion of helping the community grow. I also would like the opportunity to serve as a board member to bring a positive impact to the students and future students of the county.
What do you view as the role of the board and as an individual board member?
When I think of someone on a school board, I think of a person who is trying to promote the schools. A person who is looking out for the faculty, staff, students, and parents. Someone who wants to make a positive impact for the school system. I view the role of a board member to not only be a positive impact, role model, and leader, but a person who wants the best for the school system as a whole. A person who wants to support the school system and community, and someone who wants to be involved throughout the community and schools. Someone who you see out in the community getting their “hands dirty” and being hands on however and wherever needed.
What do you think are the biggest challenges facing education today?
Some of the biggest challenges facing our educational systems today are, but not limited too: too much testing and not allowing teachers to get back to the basics and teach. Another challenge is that there are too many other obstacles, such as data entry, that takes them away from the classroom. Also, there is not enough help inside and outside the classroom. Appropriately funding is also another challenge that educational systems face. If funds were allocated correctly and placed where there are needs, education will succeed. Don’t place the funds into things that are preventing further learning. Politics are another challenge that faces education because everyone has a different opinion. Technology is ever-changing, so therefore keeping up with the technological advances could be viewed as a challenge.
What do you think are the biggest challenges facing our school system?
I think a challenge that faces our school system is being a rural, smaller school system. Therefore, there could be times and things that are overlooked. Being a smaller school system and county also has may advantages too like support from the community. Another challenge that our school faces goes back to education as a whole and not letting our teachers get back to teaching. Which is a governmental thing, but if our teachers and staff were allowed to be creative and teach the students would flourish even more than already doing so.
What is your vision for Chattooga County Schools?
My vision for Chattooga County School is to see a positive impact on current students and to continue to promote positivity among future students. I would like to see our school system become more united and to promote a positive learning experience that makes the students want to enjoy going to school.
Spencer Hogg
Tell us a little about yourself and why you would like to serve on this board
My name is Spencer Hogg. My wife and I are 2014 graduates of Chattooga High School and I
currently have a 6-year-old son in the Chattooga County School System.
I graduated from the University of Georgia in 2017 with a degree in political science. Since
graduation I have worked for two congressmen and currently serve as the Economic
Development Project Manager for the Northwest Georgia Joint Development Authority.
I am seeking this position because I love Chattooga County and I hope to serve my home in
every capacity possible. As an alumnus and parent of a student, no one wants this school system
to succeed more than me.
What do you view as the role of the board and as an individual board member?
I view the BOE as a team environment and if I am selected, I would be just one member of the
team. While I will always advocate for what I feel is right, I believe that collaboration and
teamwork is what should win the day.
I believe the mission of the BOE is to support the superintendent and his staff in their efforts to
handle the day-to-day operations and assist when asked.
In my opinion, the BOE should operate within the five specific duties of local boards as defined
by the Georgia School Board Association (GSBA) which are:
1. Buying and selling school property (including the
power of condemnation),
2. Calling elections to authorize a Special Purpose Local
Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) and bond elections to
authorize the issuance of bonded debt,
3. Making the policies and rules necessary to govern the
school system,
4. Reorganization and consolidation of schools within
their control, and
5. Authority to hire employees on the recommendation
of the superintendent.
As an individual board member, I would view my role as adding input in my area of expertise
when it could be beneficial to our students, as well as spending time with students, parents and
teachers to ensure their concerns are being heard/addressed.
What do you think are the biggest challenges facing education today? /What do you
think are the biggest challenges facing our school system?
I believe one of the most prominent issues facing education as a whole and our school system
today is the issue of workforce development.
In my role serving in economic development, we work to recruit new industry to NWGA and
help existing industry expand. During our talks with new prospects and existing employers, their
number one concern tends to be the availability of high-skilled workforce.
I believe if we continue to support our already fantastic CTAE programs, continue to strengthen
relationships with local employers to craft strategic training programs to fit their needs, and
continue to incorporate best practices from other school systems across the State, we can put our
graduates in the best possible position to enter into high-skill, high-wage jobs after graduation.
If we can continue down the path of solidifying our community as a workforce powerhouse, we
can attract high-wage jobs to our community and improve the lives of our students. In my view,
high-skilled labor and an established workforce pipeline will be the most important assets for our
County and students in the future. My background in policy and economic development gives
me a unique perspective to assist in this endeavor.
What is your vision for Chattooga County Schools?
My vision for Chattooga County Schools is to be a system that promotes academic and athletic
excellence for all of our students, ensuring that our graduates are prepared to enter the college
ranks or the workforce at the highest levels of employment or academic prestige.
Charles Cooper
Tell us a little about yourself and why you would like to serve on this board
My name is Charles Cooper; I am a retired teacher, Coach, and the former Principal of Lyerly Elementary School. I started my education career here in Chattooga County 30 years ago as a teacher and coach at Chattooga High School. I have also served as teacher, Coach, and Athletic Director at the Summerville Middle School, Leroy Massey Elementary School, Principal of Chattooga Academy, and Assistant Principal at Chattooga High School. Currently, and for the past 20 years I have served as a volunteer Firefighter for the Summerville Fire Department. I am a member and Deacon of the First Baptist Church in Summerville. My wife and I have been married for 26 years. We have a daughter who graduated from CHS in 2019 and will be graduating from the University of Georgia Spring 2022 and a son that will be entering the eighth grade.
I would like to serve on the Chattooga County Board of Education for the District of Lyerly. I feel that with the experiences I have had will benefit the decision making that will impact our administration, faculty, staff and most importantly our students. I have served the Chattooga County School System for 30 years. It would be an honor if chosen to serve on the board for the system I have been so blessed by.
What do you view as the role of the board and as an individual board member?
The role of the board is over watch. The board should work with the Superintendant and their staff on things that are needed for our system. We should take the recommendations from the Superintendant and their staff and make sure the maximum benefits are reaching our students or those impacted. You can’t have 5 people going in different directions and expect the system to be successful. As an individual board member you have to remember you are an individual. You serve not only the members of your district, but your yes or no vote has an effect on the system as a whole. Communication and working together as a group without personal agendas will lead to the most successful process for the system.
What do you think are the biggest challenges facing education today? /What do you
think are the biggest challenges facing our school system?
The biggest challenge facing education today is finding quality teachers and keeping them.
The biggest challenges facing our school system is finding quality teachers and keeping them. Another challenge is the financial impact from Covid and the plan for when the federal money is gone. Where are we going to be financially in 2 years?
What is your vision for Chattooga County Schools?
My vision for Chattooga County Schools is to have the best teachers working with our students to meet their needs and having a working relationship and partnership with parents. Our vision is to be the system other systems want to be.
Bonnie Fletcher
Tell us a little about yourself and why you would like to serve on this board
My name is Bonnie Fletcher. I have worked for our local radio station, WZQZ, for eight years and I absolutely love what I do. I am also co-owner of Honeybee Flowers, Gifts and Sweets, a small business here in Chattooga that I run along with my mother. Married for 6 years in September, my husband and I have two beautiful sons. One of which is an upcoming 7th grader at Lyerly Elementary and the other will be entering Pre K at Lyerly. I’m very involved in the education of both of our sons as well as all other activities they participate in.
I would like to serve on the Chattooga County Board of Education because I have a deep love for this County and its residents. I care about every child in this County and I truly feel like I could help make a difference in the lives of so many. I want to be a voice for the teachers, the parents and especially the children of the Chattooga County School System. I was once told that I can’t save the world but that will never stop me from trying to make the best impact on it that I possibly can and I feel like that impact should be with the children because they are our future.
What do you view as the role of the board and as an individual board member?
I believe the role of the Board of Education is to make decisions based on the best interests of our school system as a whole in order to make the best and greatest impact possible for our students, parents and teachers. I believe these decisions should give our school system the greatest potential for overall success no matter what path a student chooses, whether it’s vocational, technical, college, etc. I believe it is the board’s responsibility to ensure that every child has the keys/tools to create a bright and successful future.
As an individual board member, I believe it’s my responsibility (if chosen) to listen to the opinions, needs, concerns, etc. of those people that I would be representing in my district. I believe it is important to be readily available for open discussions concerning our school system and any questions or concerns that people may have. I believe it’s important to bring those topics to the attention of the other board members in an effort to seek a resolution that is best suited for the school system as a whole. In essence, I believe I would be a voice for the teachers, parents, students and concerned citizens that I would represent.
What do you think are the biggest challenges facing education today?
I could go through quite a lengthy list of challenges that I believe the educational system as a whole faces but I will touch base on a few.
First is classroom size. I believe classrooms tend to be so large that it’s difficult for educators to focus on every student identifying their needs and assisting them to reach their goals. I believe teachers should have more support in helping students, whether it’s decreasing classroom size or increasing educators per classroom. I believe with this help, we could really reach every student individually and help them get on path for their goals.
Second is standardized testing. While I understand that standardized testing is a tool used to gauge students and systems as a whole, I don’t believe it’s the best answer. I worry that standardized testing causes more of our students to memorize answers for a test as opposed to comprehending what they are learning. Reading comprehension and retention is vital to a child’s success and I worry that the emphasis on standardized testing puts more pressure on students to remember the answers short term for a better score as opposed to actually retaining information long term.
Thirdly, parent involvement. I saw it when I was in school and continue to see it today, lack of parental involvement. I know there are so many ways that the school system tries to ensure that information gets out there for parents but sometimes it just doesn’t. I believe that parents are a vital part of a child’s success, parents should be taking what time they can (I understand work schedules and life can get crazy) even if it’s just 10 minutes to sit down and work with their child in areas that they are struggling. Sometimes parents struggle, believe me I do with some of my boys work, but I would love to see options available for parents to assist them in assisting their child.
There are so many other challenges that I would like to discuss but this would probably turn into a book so I will conclude my answer here and hopefully have the opportunity to elaborate in the future.
What do you think are the biggest challenges facing our school system?
The issues listed above are some of the same issues I believe face our school system but one that I think Chattooga County faces more so than surrounding counties and areas is being economically disadvantaged. So many of those that live in our county are economically disadvantaged. Within the county, average income for an individual is around $21k a year, a household is around $37k a year. When broken down, after rent, utilities, gas to get back and forth to work, basic necessities for a full household are hard to obtain in our County. We have families that struggle to provide food for their families much less provide school supplies, clothing, shoes, etc. for a child in the school system. I know we have some great programs in place to help but what more can we do? How can we educate parents and students on the options available to them? And how can we expand those options? It may sound silly but it’s tough for a kid to concentrate in a classroom when they don’t know where their next meal is coming from, when there are holes in the bottom of their shoes and they haven’t been able to shower for days because the water is cut off at home until next pay day. I want to help these kids and their families, I want to reach past their education and make a difference in the homes of the people of this county. Education really does start at home so I think there needs to be some more focus on the home lives of our students. If we can’t reach the parents, I know it’s not always possible, but if we can’t, let’s work even harder with the students.
Again, this is a topic that I could go on and on about because I have so many things that I would like to bring to the table for discussion (basic life skills, budgeting, finance, credit knowledge, etc.) and to research and find solutions that can be implemented. If given the opportunity, that is my goal no matter how long it takes.
What is your vision for Chattooga County Schools?
My vision for Chattooga County Schools is to be able to set every single child in this school system on the path to success. I want every child to be able to reach their dream no matter what it may and I want our schools to be able to offer a wide variety of programs for students to be able to reach their full potential whether they dream of being an athlete, a doctor, a chef, a producer, a farmer, a welder, a nurse, a journalist, anything! I want our school system to be able to reach every single student by providing the resources necessary for teachers, parents and students to identify the needs of each student and provide them with the tools they need to reach their success. Every student is different and we need to foster each one’s education differently.
I’m going to wrap this up by saying that while I don’t have a college education and I don’t have experience in the school system as a whole, I have a deep love for the kids of this county. I spend a lot of my time on a ball field, a basketball court, at school functions, etc. and I see these kids all the time. I love these kids and there is nothing more rewarding than seeing a child achieve their goals. I want to be a part of that, even more so than I have been. I am grateful to even have the opportunity to submit my name for the vacant seat and I am so proud to be in the company of such an amazing pool of candidates. I know that whoever the board chooses will be an excellent addition to the board. Thank you again for the opportunity.
Ron Williams
Tell us a little about yourself and why you would like to serve on this board
I spent 34 years in Education, teaching History and Social Studies. Head Football Coach, Athletic Director, Head Basketball, Golf and Track Coach. Elected to Chattooga Board of Education in 2010. Member of North Summerville Baptist Church.
Right now the Curriculum. Provide needs to teachers and Administrators to improve grades, test scores and attendance.
What do you think are the biggest challenges facing our school system?
To adapt to a changing world. To encourage technology advancement. Also to encourage young people to follow other directions in choosing a career, including college but also technical jobs.
What is your vision for Chattooga County Schools?
I think Chattooga is headed in a good direction, especially when I was on the Board with the re-establishment of pride in the schools and the improvement of facilities and athletics.
Wendy Cordle
Tell us a little about yourself and why you would like to serve on this board
I started my Chattooga journey in Kindergarten at SES. I attended all my school years as a Chattooga Indian and am a proud graduate of the Class of 1999.
I am also the daughter of two Chattooga Alumni, the proud mother of a 2020 graduate, and my youngest son is a current student of CHS. I am very invested in the education that Chattooga County School System has provided and continues to provide for our community. I began working at LES in Feb 2008 as Bookkeeper/Scheduler. I worked under four different principals before I transferred to CHS in May 2015 as Bookkeeper and Athletic Director Assistant. There I worked under two Principals, three AD’s, and I truly enjoyed all 13 years working in the school system. I just recently resigned in October 2020 to further my career as a Staff Accountant for HCA Healthcare. I only left for better financial stability for my sons and myself. I would love to be able to be a board member and positive voice for our great system.
Go BIG red!! Yes, I was a cheerleader, and I want to continue to cheer on the great things about Chattooga County School System.
What do you view as the role of the board and as an individual board member?
To listen to our faculty, parents, and students and be the voice for them! Help them all to achieve their goals.
The Budget for Education
Teacher Shortage
What do you think are the biggest challenges facing our school system?
Finances always seem to be a concern, as we need to be able to offer competitive salaries to teachers and all faculty members to ensure quality employees to provide a quality education.
Absenteeism is a huge challenge. I know first-hand from working in Chattooga County School System schools that student absences have increased! I have worked in Pre-K all the way through 12th grade.
What is your vision for Chattooga County Schools?
I would love to see Chattooga to continue to educate our students well and provide for them opportunities that they may not receive elsewhere. We should show and teach manners and the great work ethic that is needed today, whether it be in the classroom academically or through our wonderful CTAE program where they learn a skill to make them a productive part of society.
Educated people are a productive part of society. Let’s prepare Chattooga Graduates!
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