District 2: What to know about Clarksville-Montgomery school board candidates
As the Republican and Democratic primary election near, The Leaf-Chronicle sent out a questionnaire to all candidates who qualified to be on the ballot for Clarksville- Montgomery County School Board District 2, 4, and 6. Below are responses from candidates in District 2 for the Clarksville-Montgomery County School Board.
If you have not yet voted, polls are open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 5.
Election results of District 2 and the other offices on the ballot will begin to come in once the polls close tonight at 7 p.m. To follow election results, please check back with The Leaf-Chronicle on election night at https://www.theleafchronicle.com.
Republican Primary
Kacie Bryant
Kacie Bryant, a candidate in the Republican primary, is running for a District 2 seat for the Clarksville- Montgomery County School Board. Below are her responses to the questionnaire sent by The Leaf-Chronicle.
Which office are you seeking?
District 2
Age: 41
What neighborhood/part of the county do you live in?
Highway 13
Education:
Bachelor’s in Business Administration
Job history:
Business owner for 16 years
Family:
Husband and two kids (11 and 13)
Why are you running for this office?
Our schools need more parent involvement. There is currently only one parent on the board with kids in school.
What makes you qualified to hold this office and better qualified than your opponent(s)?
I have been involved in the background of what has been happening with the school board since 2020. I am a leader in our community and not afraid to stand up for parents, teachers and most importantly our children. I have experience leading in many different capacities from large groups of volunteers to community events to business teams and I know how to rally people together to get things done.
If you are elected (or re-elected), what are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
1) Examine the governance policy. It can be interpreted several different ways and we need to make sure decisions that impact our children can be made by the community and not pushed down from the top. 2) Encourage parent involvement. A lot of parents feel like their voice doesn’t matter, therefore they feel helpless. 3) Address discipline issues.
What are you hearing most from voters about what they want you to accomplish if elected?
Keeping conservative values in our schools. Also, we are losing good teachers. They feel like between all of the unnecessary paperwork and discipline issues, it makes teaching difficult.
What is your proudest achievement in your personal or public life?
I wake up every day and ask God to help me do my best for one more day. He has used me to do many great things. I have been married for 16 years and we’ve made it through some really difficult times. I would say that’s is a pretty big achievement if I had to pick one.
A “fun” question: When visitors ask you, “What should I do in Montgomery County?” What are the top 2 or 3 things or places you recommend?
Shop local. We have some amazing local businesses in Clarksville from Miss Lucille’s to Old Glory to the many wonderful businesses downtown and beyond. A definite stop is to pop in and see Jody at Clarksville Collection, she always greets with a smile.
Will you commit to being civil in how you present yourself and the way you interact with opponents and others? (Our definition of civility is being a good, active, honest and respectable citizen)
Yes
David L. Johnson
David L. Johnson is a candidate in the Republican primary, running for a District 2 seat for the Clarksville- Montgomery County School Board. Below are his responses to the questionnaire sent by The Leaf-Chronicle.
Which office are you seeking?
District 2
Age: 36
What neighborhood/part of the county do you live in?
Greenland Farms Neighborhood
Education:
Attended King College 4 years
Job history:
Presently working at LG as the Facility & Utility Supervisor
Family:
Married to Jessica Johnson, and have 5 children. Ava, 14, David, 12, Aleks, 9, Andrew, 4 and Leo 18 months
Why are you running for this office?
To increase overall awareness of the position. To become more involved in the decision making of our children’s education.
What makes you qualified to hold this office and better qualified than your opponent(s)?
Committed and involved parent. Willing to not just complain but to take action
If you are elected (or re-elected), what are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
Parental Rights, Transparency, and Fiscal responsibility
What are you hearing most from voters about what they want you to accomplish if elected?
More communication and transparency
What is your proudest achievement in your personal or public life?
Becoming a father. There is nothing else like it.
A “fun” question: When visitors ask you, “What should I do in Montgomery County?” What are the top 2 or 3 things or places you recommend?
I’d invite them to watch a wrestling match at the local high schools. Clarksville is booming with talented athletes!
Will you commit to being civil in how you present yourself and the way you interact with opponents and others? (Our definition of civility is being a good, active, honest and respectable citizen)
Yes
Democratic Primary
Ritchie Patton
Ritchie Patton, candidate in the Democratic primary, is running for a District 2 seat for the Clarksville- Montgomery County School Board. Below are her responses to the questionnaire sent by The Leaf-Chronicle.
Which office are you seeking?
District 2
Age: 38
What neighborhood/part of the county do you live in?
"Across the river"
Education:
Masters of Business Administration - Healthcare
Job history:
US Army Medic - 8 Years, Chipotle General Manager - 3 years, Regulatory Scientist - 8 years
Family:
Married for 18 years with 3 children attending CMCSS schools
Why are you running for this office?
I chose to raise my family in Clarksville after I left the military. I want to contribute to the community I love and ensure we are headed in the right direction.
What makes you qualified to hold this office and better qualified than your opponent(s)?
As a graduate of Northeast High School with 3 children currently attending CMCSS schools, I have a personal stake in the success of the school system. My education, work experience, and commitment to Clarksville are just a few of the qualifications I have to serve on the school board. I believe my ability to think independently to solve complex problems sets me above other candidates.
If you are elected (or re-elected), what are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
My main priority for my time on the school board would be to focus on the long term stability of the school system. This means taking a forward looking approach to capacity at all grade levels as well as strategies to recruit & retain high quality teachers and staff. It will be important to ensure our public school system receives all available public funds for education and will mean the school system because a resource within and for the local community.
What are you hearing most from voters about what they want you to accomplish if elected?
Most voters are concerned about how the constant changes with the school system will impact them. Whether that be issues with disruptive students, lack of resources for special education, or rezoning, the most important issue to voters are the issues impacting them right now. These constant changes make the school system unreliable and therefore untrustworthy. Voters want to stability, and they want the school system to be a resource instead of an opponent.
What is your proudest achievement in your personal or public life?
I am proud of my ability to use my education and experiences to develop a rewarding career and raise a wonderful, supportive family.
A “fun” question: When visitors ask you, “What should I do in Montgomery County?” What are the top 2 or 3 things or places you recommend?
Clarksville Downtown Market, Clarksville Commons and YesLiberty Park & Marina
Will you commit to being civil in how you present yourself and the way you interact with opponents and others? (Our definition of civility is being a good, active, honest and respectable citizen)
Yes
Ritchie Patton, the uncontested Democrat, will face the Republican primary winner in August during the August county and general election.
Kenya Anderson is a reporter for The Leaf-Chronicle. She can be contacted at kanderson@gannett.com or on X at kenyaanderson32. Sign up for the Leaf-Chronicle to support local journalism at www.theleafchronicle.com.
This article originally appeared on Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle: What to know about Dist. 2 Clarksville-Montgomery school board candidates
