Candidate Profile: Sean Jackson For Cherokee Board Of Ed. District 5

CHEROKEE COUNTY, GA — Four candidates are running for Cherokee County Board of Education District 5 in the May 24 General Primary Election.

Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as the primary draws near.

Sean Jackson is running for Cherokee County Board of Education District 5.

<b>Name</b>

Sean Jackson

<b>Campaign website</b>

https://www.voteseanjackson.co...

<b>City or town of residence</b>

Woodstock, GA

<b>Office sought</b>

Cherokee County School Board - District 5

<b>Party affiliation</b>

Democrat

<b>Education</b>

Bachelors of Arts - American Studies, California State University, Fullerton

<b>Occupation</b>

Principal Learning Architect (20 Years)

<b>Family</b>

My wife, Crystal and 4 Daughters - Olivia (14), Evelyn (11), Isabelle (9) and Avery (9). All my children attend school in Cherokee County School District.

<b>Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?</b>

No

<b>Age</b>

44

<b>Previous public office, appointive or elective</b>

No

<b>Why are you seeking this office?</b>

I am not a politician. In fact, this is beyond anything I have done before. Putting myself and my family out there has been eye-opening and an interesting experience. I've received so much support and enthusiasm for the campaign that I am sincerely overwhelmed with gratitude. I'm running for school board for my kids, for your kids and for the family's who are moving into our great community. I want to represent the students who may not fit neatly into the box of what is currently Cherokee County. Our County is growing and diversifying. In addition, I want our teachers to be supported, respected and heard. I’ve heard from teachers who feel like no one has their back – and this is concerning. If anybody should have unwavering support – it’s the teachers. Serving on the school board is an amazing role because it includes serving both students and teachers. I'd be serving that, the bedrock of our society. I want to make sure our children have the best education possible while they're attending Cherokee County School District.

<b>Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ___, and this is what I intend to do about it.</b>

Many parents in our community feel unheard. Parents should be aware of what is impacting classrooms on a regular basis – whether it is through focus groups, surveys, or general public forums/communication. Divisions in our community are putting overall education at risk. When elected, I will strive to break down communication barriers between the board and those who it serves. I will advocate for more teacher, parent and board involvement in district wide decisions, so we overcome pressing obstacles TOGETHER.

<b>What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?</b>

Here are several items that differentiate me from other candidates in District 5. I believe the following:

1. Inclusion is for everyone. Every ethnicity, every race, every gender, all pronouns, every sexual identity and every educational need.

2. No book banning, rating or censoring. Parents/caregivers have a choice to opt out of assignments and books. Parents/caregivers should make the choice for their children. The choice should not be made by a small radicalized group.

3. CRT is college-level curriculum and does not belong in CCSD K-12 schools. HB-1084 passed in Georgia that will not allow CRT in Georgia schools. But, honest grade-level content should be taught to students. This applies to our Nation's history - including civil rights and race relations.

4. Special needs students need a full range of resources and support provided and funded by CCSD.

5. Students need academic AND emotional support. They need to learn to be resilient in the face of adversity. I am an advocate for the CCSD C.A.R.E.S. program.

6. Teachers need support to do their jobs effectively. CCSD should give them the support and tools they need to be successful.

<b>If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?</b>

I am not challenging an incumbent.

<b>What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?</b>

The silver lining of the pandemic is that parents/caregivers are now involved more than ever in their children’s learning. They experienced digital learning with their children and in doing so had a glimpse into the curriculum. I think this involvement is vital to the success of students. The more we can get parents involved, the better. My plan is to suggest a task force for getting parent feedback and answering their questions on a regular basis. I would like to see parents, administrators, and the board participate in regular focus groups, listening sessions, and surveys so that parents feel involved in the education of their children. This would also promote transparency between parents and the board. I would also like our schools to focus more on curriculum nights – not just a teacher presentation, an active Q&A session so that parents have a clear vision of the curriculum for the year. This includes having books on display that are being read and clear instructions on how to opt out of books and/or assignments.

<b>What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?</b>

I have been in the corporate world for over 20 years. In that time, I have worked with diverse groups of people with differing opinions. I have been successful in bridging gaps in communication and keeping projects on track. I have had great success in participating and sharing feedback to improve specific initiatives and gain buy-in from otherwise disagreeable parties. I feel that those qualities and more can help bridge our divide when it comes to education in Cherokee County School District.

<b>What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?</b>

Being honest, loyal and having integrity is everything in life.

<b>Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?</b>

When elected, I will always support teaching our children to be resilient in the face of adversity – they need it now more than ever. I will support building out and strengthening the CCSD C.A.R.E.S. program. I will support building out more mentor programs that prepare our children for success. In addition, I will always support our schools as they celebrate diversity. All students deserve to be respected and welcomed no matter their religion, ethnicity, race, gender, pronouns, sexuality or educational need.