Another challenger enters Muscogee school board race. What to know about newest candidate
A second challenger seeking to oust a Muscogee County School Board member plans to be on the 2020 ballot.
Sherrie Aaron, the CEO of a Columbus residential program for girls called Sybil’s House, has filed at the Muscogee County Elections and Registration office a declaration of intent to accept campaign contributions and run against District 3 representative Vanessa Jackson.
The Ledger-Enquirer reported in October that the Rev. Walter Taylor intends to run against District 7 incumbent Cathy Williams.
Two other seats on the nine-member board also will be up for vote during the May 19 elections: chairwoman Pat Hugley Green of District 1 and vice chairwoman Laurie McRae of District 5.
All four incumbents have told the L-E they plan to seek re-election.
Candidates for the local nonpartisan elections aren’t official until qualifying during the first week of March at the Muscogee County Elections and Registration Office, on the second floor of the Citizens Service Center, 3111 Citizens Way.
The qualifying period will start at 9 a.m. March 2 and end at noon March 6. Local candidates must pay a qualifying fee, which is $360 for school board candidates. Board members receive a $12,000 yearly salary.
In an emailed interview with the Ledger-Enquirer, Aaron said, “The main objective of my campaign is to create a bridge between community, school and home — both traditional and nontraditional — for the students in District 3. I believe closing that gap will assist in creating a safe environment for our children to receive an education and thrive within our community.”
Aaron, 37, earned a GED in 2006. She listed the following organizations for community involvement: PTA, MCSD schools volunteer, Girls Inc. and Kenneth B. Walker residential home for boys.
She is married and has two children, ages 12 and 10.
Asked for her main concern about MCSD and how that concern should be addressed, Aaron said, “I honestly believe change doesn’t have to come from a concern, because there are always opportunities — opportunities such as exploring and expanding alternatives to traditional education paths, such as adding curriculum that reflects the world we live in. There’s also opportunity to dive deep into how we handle children with disciplinary issues in schools.
“By working with community service programs and exploring ways to appropriately address mental health of young people, in the same way we address and educate them on their physical health, I think there’s an untapped opportunity to create an initiative that could potentially impact our entire city in the future.”
Aaron declined to say why District 3 voters shouldn’t re-elect Jackson. The L-E didn’t reach Jackson for comment before this story’s deadline.
The manager of Aaron’s campaign is Franki Foster; the treasurer is Keyana Butts.
