Aniston, AL – The Calhoun County Board of Education Forum was held on Thursday, February 29th by the Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce at the Anniston Meeting Center. It was attended by over 100 people. All candidates were invited to attend both Republican and Democrat even though the Democrats will not be on the primary ballot on March 5th. Because there were 16 participants each was given three minuets to share their platform or reason for running. Below you will find the full video of all the participants as well as well as each candidates individual speech for easier viewing. Candidates will be listed in the order they gave speeches.
Full Forum
Debbie Hess shared that she is on her second term and is a retired teacher with 25 years of experience. She stressed the importance of educators who share a vested interest in the success of the education system. She reflected on her extensive background in education training as well as the value of past experiences and the need for clear communication within the board. Throughout her six-year tenure, she stated she focused on funding programs, expanding career opportunities, and addressing learning gaps within schools. She also complimented the unified vision under the superintendent’s leadership. Finally she highlighted the need for a proactive plan to address evolving needs, emphasizing the importance of strategic planning for the future success of students and schools.
*atteneded via zoom
Michael Webb shared that for those unfamiliar he is a member of the Calhoun County School Board and has been for the past six years. He has a background of 12 years in the Aniston Police Department and now is operating his own business, he recently became the Youth Director of Leatherwood Baptist Church. Webb emphasizes the importance of voters basing their decision not on his prepared three-minute speech, but on his actions over the past six years. He highlights his dedication to the community, spending extensive hours in schools, working with various school staff, and mentoring students without father figures. Webb expresses pride in serving on the board, commends the superintendent, Dr. Reyes, and encourages voters to consider his actions and commitment to the community when making their decision.
Joe Lathers expressed gratitude for the audience’s presence and the chamber’s opportunity to discuss the future goals of Calhoun County schools. He briefly mentioned his background, emphasizing his ability to work in a team and his commitment to open communication. Lathers, with nearly 20 years of marriage and a background as an Alabama State Trooper, stressed the importance of safety in schools, pledging to leave the educational system better than he found it if elected. He outlines promises, including treating everyone with respect, being a voice for every child, and making carefully considered decisions. Lathers concluded by asking for support in the upcoming vote, stating, “I greatly appreciate your vote J-O-E for B-O-E.”
Jeff Winn shared that he began my educational career at Ohatchee in 1961, graduating in 1974. After completing his undergraduate degree, he pursued his master’s in administration and returned to school in 1992 to obtain an educational specialist degree. He served as a teacher, coach, and principal in Calhoun County for almost 30 years. Currently he is in his second year of a six-year term as a board member, his wife, Shawn Vargas, worked in Calhoun County for almost 40 years, serving as a librarian at Alexandria High School. He stated he takes pride in his family’s extensive involvement with Calhoun County, and firmly believes that public schools provide vital opportunities for underprivileged students. He asked all to witnessing the care packages teachers provide to students with limited resources, such as those at Saks and stated it reinforces his belief in the essential role public schools play in supporting the underdog.
Kellie J White shared she hails from the White Plains area and graduated from White Plains. A mother with a son currently in sixth grade attending a county school, she decided to run for the Calhoun County Board of Education. Her motivation is rooted in a genuine desire to secure the best educational outcomes not only for her child but for all children in the county. Concerned about late bus routes affecting students who start their day early, she is determined to address this issue and advocate for the overall well-being of the learning environment for children. Her agenda includes prioritizing facility upgrades, enhancing technology, and ensuring fair financial investment across all schools. She places a premium on building positive relationships with administrators, faculty, and parents, emphasizing open communication and a safe space for addressing concerns. She voiced the need for equitable representation in all school districts, acknowledging the importance of fair voting processes.
Allen E. George shared he is a resident of Ohatchee, had a career in law enforcement, culminating in 25 years of service with the Anniston Police Department, retiring as a captain. The day after retiring, he assumed the role of commander of the seventh judicial major crimes. Alan emphasized the need to prioritize the voices of stakeholders in decision-making, focusing on what benefits the children. A devout Christian, he has been actively involved in his church and brings a diverse perspective to the table. He aims to enhance campus safety through emerging technology for school resource officers and ensure equal opportunities for all students, regardless of their school or location. He seeks to be a trusted partner for educators and administrators, addressing their concerns collaboratively.He appealed for community support, hoping to earn votes for his commitment to positively impact the school system.
Nick Ogle shared that is was born and raised in the Blue Mountain community. He provided an account of his life journey, including military service and being a blue color worker. Expressing a commitment to practicality, the speaker rejects the conventional attire of a suit, highlighting a willingness to engage in hands-on work. He stated his professional perspective underscores the challenges faced by schools in the community, criticizing societal expectations that hinder teachers’ effectiveness. The speaker’s agenda, if elected, is to restore authority to educators, enabling them to manage their classrooms effectively. On a personal level, the speaker passionately addressed concerns about the disrespectful treatment of his wife, who works in the school system, emphasizing the need for better support from the board. Overall he called for a return to traditional values, reflecting in manners, respect, and interpersonal interactions, starting with a focus on improving conditions within the educational system.
Lisa Amerson shared that she is candidate for re-election to the school board in Calhoun County with over 45 years of residence in the County. She emphasizes her extensive experience and dedication to public service, having retired after 16 years as the technology and data director in the school system, She has been involved in various public service roles, including serving on the board of the Calhoun Cleburne Children’s Center. She has a bachelor’s degree in Information Technology. She stated she has a strong understanding of the unique elements within the community, having lived in three of the seven communities. She highlighted the expansion of career education programs, the addition of mental health coordinators, and enhanced safety measures during her six years on the board. She stressed the importance of creating a safe and supportive environment for students, and she pointed to achievements, such as restructuring pay for educators and introducing the Excel Academy for online learning. She pledges to continue making decisions based on common sense, facts, and prayer, reinforcing her commitment to sound decision-making.
Mike Almaroad shared he is running for re-election to the Calhoun County school board for the sixth term, and expressed gratitude for the chamber’s invitation and highlighted his 36 years of dedicated service on the board. He also emphasizes the significant progress the school system has made under the current leadership, calling it a great system. He passionately discussed the importance of career and technical education, aiming to equip students with skills that will encourage them to stay within the community. He also proudly shared his family’s connection to Calhoun County public schools. He reflected on the value of education and the doors it has opened for him. He credits Dr. Jim Winn for imparting valuable lessons, stressing the importance of teamwork, listening more, talking less, and always prioritizing what is best for the children. He concluded by expressing appreciation for the voters’ support and urging them to prioritize what benefits the students in the community.
Gary Price shared his reputation for extensive communication (aka likes to talk), but assured the audience of his preparedness for the evening. Hailing from the White Plains area, he introduced his family and military background, emphasizing his commitment to prioritizing children’s education on the Calhoun County Board. He highlighted four main priorities, focusing on facilities maintenance, transportation infrastructure, curriculum optimization, and student safety. He advocated for additional school resource officers and the integration of new technologies for enhanced security. He also emphasized the need for a funding review to ensure impactful projects, and he addressed various policy issues such as school lunches, dress code, discipline, attendance, and scheduling. He Proposed changes to the Board of Education election process, including district-based elections and term limits. He stated he aims to bring fairness, safety, and improved learning environments to the education system.
Julie Hood shared her gratitude for the audience’s presence and shared her extensive 40-year commitment to education as a retired educator with 32 years of experience in various roles, including elementary teacher, instructional coach, assistant principal, and principal. She highlighted her passion for education and advocacy for the students and staff of Calhoun County. She emphasized the wonderful aspects of the school system, praising the dedicated administrators, caring teachers, and enthusiastic students. Referring to a recent employee survey, she noted a high satisfaction rate and the positive atmosphere she witnesses during school visits. She discussed the educational opportunities offered by the system, ranging from traditional classrooms to virtual options and Career Academy programs. She stressed the importance of her experience in understanding daily challenges, funding resources, and the decision-making process. She positioned herself as a proven leader dedicated to meeting the diverse needs of all students and encourages the audience’s vote on March 5 to contribute to the continued improvement of Cameron County Schools.
Tobi Burt shared he is a current school board member seeking reelection for a second term. He provided a brief overview of his personal and professional background. Married for 23 years with four children and three grandchildren he shred his ownership of a local general contracting company and his role as the president of the Alabama Law Enforcement Appreciate Foundation (ALEAF). He outlined the responsibilities of a school board member, including budget creation, policy formulation, and overseeing key appointments. He explained that the school board doesn’t hire teachers or bus drivers and that understanding the job is key to doing the job. He also pointed to the district’s 98% approval rate and expresses pride in having what they consider the best superintendent in the state. While acknowledging the limitations of the school board’s influence, he pledged to continue his commitment to fairness, accessibility (offering a phone number for constituents to reach out), and philanthropy by donating his board salary back to the community in the form of scholarships. He shared that he has donated over $100,000 back to the students of Calhoun County. Seeking the audience’s vote, he stressed his dedication to providing the best opportunities for the students of Calhoun County.
Zack Davis shared his personal connection to the school system as a former student and a prospective parent. He Expressed a strong investment in the county schools and commitment to improving the educational experience for current and future students. He appealed to voters by highlighting his genuine desire to contribute to the betterment of the schools, underscoring the importance of providing the best education possible for children. He closes by “humbly” asking for votes in the upcoming election on March 5th.
Bobby R. Tittle he is a resident of Ohatchee and acknowledged time constraints and directed the audience to available literature and his Facebook page for details on his qualifications and background. He addressed recent negative mail-out containing untruths about him, emphasizing that he prefers a leadership style focused on support rather than divisive tactics. He expressed a commitment to supporting teachers, administrators, and students in all communities. He also stressed the importance of ensuring that various school activities are adequately supported. He drew on his experience as a hospital administrator and emphasized being “boots on the ground” and presented himself as accessible to community concerns. He pledged to keep being an ongoing presence at school events and invited engagement from constituents.
Manuela Burton shared this is her first-time as a board candidate. She highlighted her personal connection to the community, having graduated from Weaver High School and shared her son will also be graduating soon from Weaver and her daughter attends elementary school. She emphasized her educational background, holding a bachelor’s degree in psychology and pursuing a master’s in education with a focus on curriculum development policy and leadership. Drawing from her experience as a former case manager at the Alabama Department of Labor, she underscored her involvement in overseeing workplace learning programs, aligning with Governor Kay Ivey’s initiatives to encourage students to pursue both college degrees and skills development. The speaker advocated for retaining local students through work-based learning, emphasizing the importance of understanding students’ career aspirations beyond traditional assessments. She expresses a commitment to supporting teachers by providing training, resources, and industry-relevant curriculum. Additionally, she pledged to explore grant opportunities and secure funding for technology and educational improvements. Despite not being on the March 5 ballot, she invited community engagement and questions, positioning herself as a candidate for the November election.
Alan Mange shared a bit of humor at being the last speaker calling himself the “Keynote Speaker”. He stated he was 37-years-old and a 2004 graduate of Alexandria High School. He also shared personal details about his family, including two sons attending kindergarten and fourth grade at Ohatchee Elementary. He addressed several issues he aims to tackle as a board member, emphasizing the need for open communication and transparency in the school system. He advocated for the supportive role of the board, avoiding micromanagement, and focusing on infrastructure improvement and maintenance. He highlighted the importance of setting specific goals for each school and ensuring funding for School Resource Officers (SROs) to enhance safety measures. He also emphasized addressing mental health concerns, proposing the addition of social workers or mental health counselors to support administrators and counselors. He acknowledged the challenges ahead, but expresses a commitment to working towards improving schools and fostering community involvement, emphasizing the ultimate goal of prioritizing the well-being of students.
