Two Muscogee school board special election candidates want your vote. Here’s a guide
Early in-person voting starts May 24 at the City Services Center for the special election that will decide who succeeds Mike Edmondson on the Muscogee County School Board.
Election Day is June 15. May 24 also is the first day mail-in ballots can be issued for this nonpartisan election to fill the nine-member board’s District 2 seat. June 11 is the last day to request a mail-in ballot for this election.
Edmondson died from cancer in February. The winner will fill the remainder of the four-year term, which will be up for election in 2022.
The candidates are John “Bart” Steed, the owner, CEO and founder of automobile electronics company Kar Tunes, and Nickie Tillery, the human resources and compliance specialist for road construction contractor J.A. Long.
Neither has been elected to public office. This is Steed’s third time running for a seat on the board, while Tillery is a first-time candidate.
To help the District 2 voters decide whom to support, the Ledger-Enquirer emailed each candidate the same questions. Here are their emailed answers, presented in alphabetical order, along with more info about the candidates.
Why should residents in your district vote for you over your opponent?
Steed: “I have an earnest desire to serve our community through serving our students and teachers. I have worked closely with the Muscogee County School Board for several years through various committee assignments. … I understand and respect the superintendent’s vision, and I have a close working relationship with several board members; and I appreciate the needs of our teachers and staff. In short, because of my work through committee service and expertise with budgets, management and customer service, I am ready to go to work from day one. I am prepared to serve now.”
Tillery: “I strive to be a servant leader. I have a passion for helping those around me and watching them achieve success in any path they choose. I have three school-aged children; this gives me a unique advantage and perspective over my opponent. Decisions made by the school board directly affect my family, along with all of the students I have encountered over the years. Muscogee County has great educators, students and resources; we should collaborate with the schools and community to ensure all students graduate with a bright future. If their pathway to success is enlisting in the military, postsecondary education or immediately entering the workforce, they should graduate with the skill set to support their dreams. ‘Every child is one caring adult away from a success story,’ Josh Shipp said. Elect me, and I promise to be that caring adult.”
What is the most significant problem in MCSD, and how should it be solved?
Steed: “Given the complexity of operating a school district and the interdependency of the many moving parts required to educate our students, identifying one problem as more significant is not a game that I will play. Providing quality education to all of our students is a priority that will guide my every decision. To do so means all of our schools must be prepared and equipped to provide quality instruction, regardless of their location. Furthermore, each of our teachers must have the support and resources, including time to teach; they need to provide the instruction required by each of their students. As a board member, the issues before us will vary, but the one thing that I can promise voters and citizens is that, regardless of the issue before the board, ensuring the appropriate education of our students will always be the guiding principle for my service.”
Tillery: “Reading is the most significant problem in MCSD. Imagine for a moment if all the words you see right now are clusters of scribbles. At school, the key to succeeding is the ability to comprehend these clusters of nonsense. You are not ‘dumb’ or unable to learn; you need a unique technique to unscramble it. How would you feel every day among your peers and behave in class? How can you complete homework? How will the ability to read change the life of two identical students after graduation? These are the problems children in our school district face daily. Together, we can fix it. Teachers are overwhelmed and need support; we should encourage local businesses and organizations to get involved with the school system to identify the learning difficulties of those who struggle. It is a difficult journey, but the reward is priceless.”
What is the most significant problem in District 2, and how should it be solved?
Steed: “The most discussed problem in District 2 today would be school (attendance) zones. Many of the residents of District 2 are expressing concern about the displacement of students who live in District 2 from schools located in District 2. It must be solved in a light most favorable to the students throughout the county. It is paramount to the school district’s performance that the residents of Muscogee County have confidence in the ability and commitment of the school district to provide a premium education to all of our students. I want the residents of District 2 and beyond to feel they are getting their money’s worth from all of the schools in Muscogee County.”
Tillery: “The most significant problem in District 2 is the transition back to traditional classrooms. … Educators will identify the learning loss due to COVID while adjusting their teaching to meet the students at their current level. We need to encourage overwhelmed teachers and help them evaluate the last 18 months to decide what to incorporate or disregard. … New technological advances are in place that were not available in previous years, and combining the new with the old will be uncomfortable. Our teachers need support now more than ever; they stepped up and transformed their teaching styles to accommodate our students during the pandemic. They are heroes. We need to make sure to give them grace and support. All teachers were stretched, whether it was their first or 40th year teaching. Remember to be soft with criticism and loud with encouragement. Teachers’ role in our community is unmatched.”
What is the most significant strength in MCSD, and what is the reason for that strength?
Steed: “Like my earlier answer, choosing the most significant strength is a game that I would rather not play. For the schools to work as they are designed, it takes the work of many. We can start with our teachers, who I believe to be second to none. Our teachers are foundational to the education of students. And, quite frankly, as a graduate, parent and grandparent of future products of Muscogee County Schools, I firmly believe we have a long and valued legacy of great teachers. Of course, to get great teachers, we have to have great administrators to hire them. Of course, there is no way any of this happens without the community, the citizens who pay for the cost of preparing our future leaders.”
Tillery: “Muscogee County’s most significant strength is the individuals in our community who are willing to support our students and teachers. We all win when we combine the school district’s vision for the future, and local businesses/organizations use their gifts and talents to assist us in the process. It is beautiful to see a community that truly understands the importance of each phase of education and lends a hand anytime there is a need. MCSD has partners in the vocational departments, encouraging students to explore future professions, local churches/businesses partner with schools to financially support when necessary, and community volunteers are spearheading reading programs and other outreach opportunities. The impossible becomes a reality when we connect our community members with a clear path to get involved. Every school system would thrive with the support and dedication of a community like ours.”
The superintendent has said MCSD plans to fully reopen schools next school year, meaning virtual learning will be offered to only students with a medical or other approved reason to not attend in person. Do you agree with this decision and why?
Steed: “I agree with the decision to reopen the schools next year. In the past year, we have experienced a lot, but we have also learned a lot. According to the data, the virus is trending in a positive direction. Practicing social distancing and following best practices recommendations for interaction, I believe returning to school next fall is the right thing to do for students, teachers, staff and stakeholders.”
Tillery: “I support the superintendent’s plans to reopen schools. Face-to-face interactions are an important part of learning and developing, not to mention the structure of simultaneous virtual and in-person teaching has stretched our teachers too thin. Traditional pen and paper assignments are important. The heavy dependency on laptops and lack of handwritten assignments/projects is causing problems with some learners. Schools incorporate multiple learning styles into each lesson. That is difficult with a virtual/in-person combination class. I personally observed the effects of COVID on education in my home with my three girls, and it has been a struggle for everyone. However, if you have medical, religious or other reasons not to attend, there will be options for you as well. Dr. Lewis did not create a one-size-fits-all; he has allowed exceptions for those still uncomfortable with COVID. I applaud his detailed and thoughtful solution for next year.”
JOHN “BART” STEED
Age: 63
Work experience: Owner and CEO of automobile electronics company Kar Tunes, which he founded more than 40 years ago.
Education: Attended four years at Columbus College as a chemistry major. Graduated from Kendrick High School, 1976.
Community involvement: Member of the automotive program advisory boards for Carver, Jordan and Spencer high schools. Member of MCSD’s alternative education, facilities management and ESPLOST citizens advisory committees. Helped form the Steed Foundation Inc., which gives scholarships to students in honor of his mother, Frances Steed, the namesake of the city’s animal control center.
Family: Wife, Cindy. Daughter, Stephanie, graduated from Hardaway High School. Son, Patrick, graduated from Northside High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Columbus State University.
Online: Website is BartSteed.us. Facebook page is The Bart Steed Blog.
NICKIE TILLERY
Age: 42
Work experience: Human resources and compliance specialist since June 2020 for road construction contractor J.A. Long Inc., the family’s business. Teacher in grades 7-12 for Sylvan Academy, 2019-20. Substitute teacher in prekindergarten through eighth grade at St. Luke School, 2017-19. Children’s ministry director at St. Luke United Methodist Church, 2013-17. Counselor in sports camp at St. Luke, 2013. Teacher in prekindergarten at St. Luke Preschool, 2010-11. Teacher in summer camp for preschool children at St. Luke, 2009-11. Bookkeeper for Suzanne Jones Photography, 2008-10. Music teacher at St. Luke Preschool, 2007-08.
Education: Completed one year of master’s training in early childhood education at Piedmont College, 2002. Earned bachelor’s degree in child and family development from University of Georgia, 2001. Graduated from Camden County High School, 1997.
Community involvement: Member of Columbus High School Magnet Board, 2020-21. CHS PTSA Spirit Wear Committee co-chair, 2020-21. President of CHS PTSA, 2018-20. Member of Open Door Community House board and organized its summer camp, 2017-19. Organized summer camp for Victory Mission Community Outreach, 2018-19. Sunday school teacher for Victory Mission Community Outreach, 2018-21. Member of St. Luke United Methodist Church administrative board, 2011-17. Member of St. Luke Preschool board 2008-10. Team manager for Red Star Soccer travel teams, 2012-13. Coordinated homecoming at St. Luke School, 2012. Silent auction chairwoman for Historic Columbus Foundation, 2011. Printed advertisement sales chairwoman for Steeplechase, 2011. Vacation Bible School volunteer at St. Luke, 2008-12.
Family: Husband, Bobby, president of J.A. Long. Daughter Brooke attends Columbus High School and will attend the University of Alabama Honors Program. Daughter Abby attends CHS. Daughter Rachael attends St. Luke School and will be a freshman at CHS next school year.
Online: Website is NickieTillery.com. Facebook page is Nickie Tillery for School Board. Also on Instagram at NickieTillery.
WHEN AND WHERE TO VOTE
Only registered voters of District 2 in Muscogee County are eligible to vote in this special election. Voters can check their registration status and polling information by visiting Georgia’s My Voter Page.
Mail-in voting: Requests for a mail-in ballot can be made May 24-June 11.
“This will be the last time (Georgia) voters will be able to request an absentee ballot for mailing the Friday before an election,” Muscogee County elections director Nancy Boren told the L-E in an email. “Senate Bill 202 passed in the last legislative session moves the last day to request an absentee ballot by mail to 11 days before the election.”
Early in-person voting: City Services Center, 3111 Citizens Way, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., May 24-28, June 1-4 and June 8-11. Closed on May 31 for Memorial Day.
Special election day: June 15, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., at District 2’s five precincts. The Muscogee County Board of Elections and Registration has moved two district polls since the last election:
- The St. Mark precinct now is at Central Baptist Church, 8303 Whitesville Road.
- The Cornerstone precinct now is at Chattahoochee Valley Church of Christ, 122 Bascom Court.
The district’s other polls remain:
- Britt David Baptist Church, 2801 W. Britt David Road.
- St. Peter United Methodist Church, 6507 Moon Road.
- Wynnbrook Baptist Church, 500 River Knoll Way.
This story was originally published May 17, 2021 at 3:38 PM.
