We will be collecting announcements of candidates for school board on this page as they become available. If you have filed to run for a seat on the school board and would like to add your profile here, please email it to us at reparteeforfun@gmail.com
Disclaimer: This is a posting of names and information submitted by those who are candidates for BOE. Posting this information does not imply endorsement. Please contact the candidates directly or visit their websites for more information.
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Here is the link to the Dekalb County Voter Registration main website - CLICK HERE for current information.
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So - Now we are in a runoff and these are the contenders ---
BOARD OF EDUCATION - DISTRICT 1
Nancy Jester
2718 Eaton Place
Atlanta, GA 30341
Phone: 770-455-1546
James M.Redovian - INCUMBENT
1789 Corners Court
Dunwoody, GA. 30338
Phone: (B) 770-248-9790 (H) 770-394-2125
BOARD OF EDUCATION - DISTRICT 7
Donna G. Edler
1364 Cedar Green
Stone Mountain, GA 30088
Phone: 770-808-7779
Zepora W. Roberts - INCUMBENT
1616 Cobbs Creek Lane
Decatur, GA. 30032
Phone: 404- 284-7314
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If candidates would like to send in their profiles, we will gladly publish them here.
Send to reparteeforfun@gmail.com
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PROFILES we have received from candidates
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Ms. Nancy Jester
Ms. Nancy Jester announces for DeKalb County School Board, District 1 for the seat currently held by Jim Redovian.
I am Nancy Jester and I am running for the Dekalb Board of Education, District 1 this November 2nd. I am a concerned taxpayer and a proud, involved, public school parent. I have worked as an actuarial consultant, served on a non-profit board and was the treasurer of a professional association. I am the current Chair of the Hawthorne Elementary School Council and a founding member of the Hawthorne Elementary School Foundation.
The recent financial and ethical crises our district is facing are demonstrable proof of the need for new leadership on the Board of Education (BOE). All taxpayer resources deserve to be safeguarded and used with the highest level of integrity. There is no more important public investment than education and, as such, elected officials entrusted with leading this endeavor owe a special measure of trust, transparency, accountability, accessibility, efficiency and effectiveness to their constituents. It is time for the BOE to acknowledge the broken trust that exists between the Board and the community.
It is time for the board to be replenished with new representatives that understand the current physical, technological and educational challenges in our schools. As a board member, I intend to vigorously pursue my oversight responsibilities, ask critical questions, examine data firsthand and insure that proper controls and procedures are put in place to prevent fraud and mismanagement. Our district needs a fresh start with new leadership that has innovative ideas focused on the classroom and not district management. During this campaign, I look forward to hearing from you. Please feel free to email me at nancyjester@gmail.com or call me at 678.360.1148.
Click here to visit Nancy's website for more info.
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Donna Edler
DeKalb County School Board
District 7
www.DonnaEdler.com
I have been active in the growth of my children and my DeKalb community for the last 15 years and I believe that it is now time for a new level of commitment. I am running for DeKalb County School Board because I value education and care deeply about my community and the future of its children. I want to be a part of a world that is deliberate about making a better place for our children, a better public school system, and ultimately, a better DeKalb County. Public schools are at the foundation of prosperous communities.
As a DeKalb County taxpayer and DeKalb County School System (DCSS) parent, there are many issues in the DCSS that concern me. The most important issues for me include:
- Improving overall student achievement as measured by national standardized test scores, high school graduation rates, and number of students eligible for the HOPE scholarship.
- Confronting financial difficulties, resulting from a shrinking tax digest and a climate of waste, fraud and abuse. The financial challenges include a declining budget, potential school closings, and teacher furloughs.
- Changing the negative reputation and general perception of the DCSS for the better. As I speak with parents and taxpayers, it is apparent that the DCSS has lost the confidence and trust of the general public. The loss may be due, in whole or in part, to malfeasance (including cheating on standardized tests, criminal indictments, nepotism, and waste, fraud and abuse), teacher furloughs, increasing class sizes, unsatisfactory overall student achievement and displays of unprofessionalism among school board members.
As a cancer survivor, I have come to know what is important in life: Faith, Family and Community. I live by the words of Henry David Thoreau, “… I wished to live deliberately…” so that I do not come to the end and discover that I have not lived. “Not only must we be good, but we must be good for something.” As a stay-at-home-mother, I have been a good neighbor, concerned taxpayer, and involved DCSS parent. Now I believe that it is time for me to use my professional skills in accounting, finance and government to help solve the problems facing our community.
I come with well-rounded credentials for this leadership role. As a parent and resident of Stone Mountain and a DeKalb County citizen for 15 years, I understand the challenges that our school system face and I have the skills and determination to increase the Board of Education’s ability to function as educational leaders. I earned a Master of Science degree in Business specializing in real estate appraisal and investment analysis from the University of Wisconsin and a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and Business Administration from the University of Kansas. I am a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with national accounting firm experience. I bring a long and valuable list of professional experience to the table as a commercial and public entity real estate appraiser and consultant. My professional experience also includes federal government service. As a contract investigator, I investigated allegations of waste, fraud, and abuse in government contracting. As an accountant, I reviewed, tested and recommended internal accounting and operational controls for receiverships, conservatorships and satellite offices. As an asset specialist, I served as oversight manager for contractors responsible for the liquidation of Resolution Trust Corporation (RTC) acquired assets where I provided oversight for a $180 million real estate portfolio and a $162 million loan portfolio, both entailing affordable housing issues and multi-family properties.
Giving back to the community is an important part of my life. I have held board positions of Treasurer and Vice President of Community Affairs with my local civic association which represents one of the largest subdivisions in Georgia, Hidden Hills. But, what fulfills me most is being an involved parent alongside my husband, Darryl, and role model to my three children, Darryl Jr. (University of Vermont), Christopher (Chamblee Charter High School) and Rachel (Kittredge Magnet School). I have been a soccer mom and coach, PTA chess club coordinator, field trip chaperone, as well support for a variety of classroom and fundraising activities. I am also co-founder and advisor to a non-profit scholarship fund supporting college students. This combination of experiences and tenacity to deal with complex financial issues makes for a level-headed, well-rounded woman who can be the voice and leader for District 7. I am a service-oriented, energetic, committed parent and professional. It is time to have a school board member with these personal and professional skills to take on this important role of working for our children’s future. Please vote for me on November 2nd.
DONNA EDLER for DeKalb County School Board-District 7!
Working for our Children
Ethical, Professional and Effective Leadership.
Click here to view Donna's website.
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“Schools are major public institutions in our democracy. They serve the public and are a key link between democracy and education. School board members are critical to the principle of public accountability. Public schools are the ultimate in grass roots democracy.”
– The Commission for School Board Excellence (2008)
