Catoosa school board members should be budget-savvy and focused on the good of the students, said Jill Cavan, who helped organize a recent education-related candidate forum.

“We need someone who ... can look into the budget to find solutions that we need for our budget cuts that have impacted us so greatly over the past year,” she said.

The event was hosted by the Catoosa Education Association and the Georgia Association of Educators. Ms. Cavan, who is a member of both education associations and helped moderate the event, said it allowed candidates to discuss their perspectives in a nonpartisan setting.

“We wanted to have an education-related forum so that we could concentrate on issues that directly involve our members — teachers, parapros and administrators — across the county, so they would have an opportunity ... to take a look at each candidate and where they stood on particular issues of interest to us in education,” she said.

Three incumbents have competition in the nonpartisan Nov. 4 election. Incumbent Melvin Edwards will face Brent Williams for the countywide at-large position.

Pat Silcox will challenge Billy Joe McDaniel for the District 1 seat, and incumbent Chairman Don Dycus faces opposition from Bud Jackson for the District 3 position.

at large

Mr. Edwards, a retired educator, said he worked in Catoosa’s school system for 44 years as a teacher, principal and administrator.

“My entire life has been in education, and I love education,” he said.

He has found great fulfillment in watching some he taught become successful and said his focus will always been on the well-being of students.

Mr. Williams, an accountant, said his background working with money will help him if elected to the board.

“If it has to do with numbers, I’ve done it,” he said.

He wants to take an active role in improving the school system, he said.

district 1

Mr. McDaniel said he wants the school board to be top notch.

“We need to have the best,” he said.

As a member, his main role is to help set policy, he said. He said he loves children and will work hard to support Catoosa’s system.

Mrs. Silcox said she is retired from the human resources field. At the forum she said people might be wondering what she is doing in the race for school board. But she has vested interest in the schools because she said she wants her granddaughter to get a good education.

“I want everyone to stay in school,” she said. “There is nothing worse than a kid finding out they are a failure.”

district 3

Mr. Dycus, who has been board chairman for six years, said he initially became involved in the schools because of specific issues.

“We’ve accomplished a lot in the last 10 years,” he said.

He said he has a record of experience and wants to continue to support the system and its teachers.

Mr. Jackson said when he looks in children’s eyes, he sees himself. He sees himself as a mentor and problem-solver, and those skills could be well-used on the board, he said. It isn’t an easy job, but he wants to take it on, he said.

“I’m here to help,” he said. “Be part of the problem or part of the solution.”

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