Letter: Why I'm Running for District 5 School Board

Editor's note: The following has been submitted by Jondy Loveless, a candidate for Lexington-Richland 5's school board. 

I decided to run as a candidate for Lexington County school board trustee  for the Lexington-Richland School District 5 because the time has come to optimize the human potential of our students. We can do that by maximizing the return on the collective financial investment we have recently made.  With those lofty goals in mind, one may ask how one new board member could make such a difference.

Having attended numerous board meetings over the last few years, I can absolutely say that there has been an unstated agenda, by a minority of the board members, to constantly revisit and alter the will of the people made by voter approval of the 2008 bond referendum.

My presence on the board, assuming no other board composition changes, will add another voice supporting the completion of the bond referendum projects.  With your help we will bring a refreshing, positive set of goals to ensure District Five is providing a world- class education to all students.

First and foremost, I believe that top-notch schools are an asset. They bring people to our community and people support our businesses.

Good schools strengthen our home values and are the basis for graduates in the workforce rather than the unemployment lines. We are exceedingly fortunate to have the embryo of a world class Center for Advanced Career Technology forming in conjunction with a new magnet high school in our district. It will take several years for this to completely evolve but when it does, we will have an asset that will attract companies eager to hire our high school graduates. 

We will also have top university programs recruiting our students to two and four-year colleges. These two schools in particular deserve our continued support. Through partnerships with industry, we can make certain that our graduates have the basic skills which are relevant in the workplace whether or not they choose to follow paths to higher education.  If you are working taxpayer or a retired person living on fixed income, this career preparedness should be of keen interest to you.

We have adults in our community who need training for better jobs. I will pursue the idea of offering apprenticeship courses at the new Center for Advanced Career Technology for our community members who need up-to-date training to make them competitive for today’s jobs and those in the future.

We already have an excellent record as one of the best districts in the state for educating college bound students. That must continue as well.

Finally, I understand our greatest assets are our teachers as well as the staff members and administrators who provide the needed support that allows our teachers to do what they do best- educate our students.  As a board member, I will support our teachers by voting to maintain our desirable class size policy; when fiscally possible, support teacher and staff pay raises; support programs that help struggling students who need individual attention; and I will be receptive to ideas and suggestions from teachers and other employees on what is needed most to make them successful in their positions.

My position is this - Great schools equal Great businesses equal Great communities.  I welcome your support. I look forward to being of service to you, the people of this District.

 

Jondy Loveless

Candidate for Lexington County seat

District Five of Lexington and Richland Counties