Meet Murfreesboro City School Board of Education Candidate Andrew Jacks.....

A recent article in Rutherford A.M. gave the citizens of Rutherford Co. an inside look at the candidates for the Murfreesboro City School Board election that will take place on April 15, the candidates also have shared their views at two forums and other appearances on multiple educational issues.

Among  the issues they've talked about include socioeconomic balance vs. neighborhood schools and public participation at board meetings vs. policies requiring personal issues to be dealt with by educators outside the public events.

Now it is time to take an in depth look at each candidate:

Name: Andrew Jacks

Address: 302 N. Church St., Apt. No. 14, Murfreesboro, TN 37130

Phone: 615-556-3544

Education: Earned home school high school diploma in Sterling, Va., in 1998; attended Northern Virginia Community College and MTSU pursuing course work in political science, economics and other subjects.

Career: Screen printer for a local print shop, Grand Palace Silkscreen.

Family: Single.

What are your qualifications to serve on the Murfreesboro City School Board?

I am founding board member of Youth Empowerment through Arts and Humanities. I have studied education for many years on my own and through interactions with teachers and students and parents. I'm an adult literacy tutor with Read To Succeed.

What kind of letter grade would you give Murfreesboro City Schools Director Marilyn Mathis for her job performance, and why do you feel she deserves this grade?

From my experience, I give her a C. I feel that way because I've spoken to many teachers and administrators who have said she has been very difficult to work with. A very important quality of a director is cooperating not only with those on the board but also with teachers.

What are key problems the city district faces, and what do you think should be done to resolve them?

I think that the key problem is in relations between the schools and the nonprofit community offering after-school programs because many times students need something to do after school that will reinforce what they are learning in school, and these groups often have trouble gaining the attention of the students and parents in promoting their program. I'd also like to see a student representative from the schools to be represented on the board.

Why are you seeking a four-year term to serve on the board?

The last two years I've been involved in education in the nonprofit sector. And since education has always been the most important thing to me, a logical step is to serve on the board, and I really care about the community of Murfreesboro. Education is the most important thing to us.

Daniel W. Hayes, Realtor

The Daniel Hayes Team

Master Plan Realty

615.598.4236