I have two children, Brooke, 18, and Lane, 15. Both attend Red Bay High School, and they are involved in several extracurricular activities. My parents are James and Pat Shewbart, who were raised in the Red Bay area. My grandparents are Carl and Susie Shewbart, and Buck and Meadie Vinson. My children and I attend the First United Methodist Church in Red Bay, where we are active members. I have taught youth Sunday school classes and Wednesday night classes. Brooke and Lane are active members of the church youth group.
I graduated from Red Bay High School in 1978. After high school I continued my education by studying Business Administration and Computer Science at Northwest Alabama Community College. I am Microsoft Computer and Network Certified A+.
I was honored to be elected in 2012 to represent the citizens of District 5 on the Franklin County Board of Education. In 2014, I was elected by fellow board members to serve as president of the board. I have attended workshops and classes and completed more than 153 hours of board of education training.
When I was elected, I promised you I would work with each of you and our city and industry leaders to complete many improvements at the Red Bay campus. With your help, we have been able to make many needed improvements. A few of the improvements we have been able to work together to accomplish are:
•A new roof for the elementary classrooms.
•New restrooms for the elementary gym.
•Drainage in the elementary playground.
•Replacement of an outdated boiler heating system, saving the school and system high utility bill cost.
•Additional parking for students and staff across from the office and elementary classes.
•Replacement of inefficient lighting in classrooms with “energy-efficient lighting” and adequate lighting, which provided more savings to our school system.
•Repairing of waterlines that had been leaking for more than 34 months before I was elected.
•I fought for lighting to the football stadium so it would be in compliance with the generally accepted lighting standards. During this important issue, I wasn’t afraid to go to bat against fellow board members and the superintendent and insurance to do what was right for our campus.
•I worked with the Red Bay education committee and Red Bay City Council to purchase much needed computers for grades K-12.
•Worked cooperatively to secure grants to add fiber optics to every school in the county, including Red Bay.
•As I promised six years ago, all hiring decisions were made by hiring the most qualified candidate regardless of family affiliations. I pledge this will continue!
•I have promoted and utilized community stakeholders’ input and advice in hiring and seeking out qualified administrators to help lead our schools. I commit to continue this practice if re-elected!
The board was able to receive a grant from USDA to provide every student in Franklin County a free breakfast and lunch, not only during the school year but in the summer months as well. This alone has saved parents of the students several thousands of dollars a year. I am proud you have elected me in the past to be able to fight for our children and to help save parents money!
I feel that we must continue to hire the very best employees that are available. Our test scores show this to be very beneficial for our students. As a result of the most qualified teachers instructing our students every day, Red Bay High School scored higher than any other school in the county, and most other schools in northwest Alabama. Our students deserve the best education we can provide. I am committed to supporting our teachers in the classroom and will continue to fight to give them the tools they need to succeed!
If re-elected, I commit to you I will continue to work to improve our school, and I am committed to working toward the goal of constructing a NEW school building at Red Bay.
I humbly ask for your vote and confidence on June 5 in the Democratic Primary. “Let’s KEEP MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER!”
