Elmer Mobley

As the parent of students and the spouse of a teacher in District 1 schools, I want to be an advocate for the particular needs and issues that our schools have that are different from the other districts. When we make decisions on policies for the entire county, it is important that we recognize how those policies will affect the teachers, administrators, parents and (especially) students that are in District 1.

My entire professional career has been in digital advertising and marketing. Communication with stakeholders; working with both clients and team members to develop goals and meet or exceed those goals; and adaptability are all skills that I have honed over the last 25 years. In addition, I have experience serving as president of a local non-profit and as co-chair of the Parks & Landscaping Board for the City of Fairview. I believe my experience serving on other boards combined with my work experience make me well-suited to serve as a board member. I have volunteered on various PTO's, donated time and services to the Fairview Middle and High School theater departments and served on the Fairview HS Thespian Boosters to support the theater program. I've also earned my share of splinters leading parent volunteers during Homecoming float builds.

I love our schools and our communities. I’m running because I want to represent the needs of our schools and be sure the decisions made and policies enacted will benefit not only the county but District 1 as well.

• Our teachers and staff deserve competitive compensation, meaningful professional development opportunities, and policies that foster a positive and supportive work environment. In particular, we must remember that our schools are the best in the state because of the quality of the teachers, administrators and support staff in each school. To retain these wonderful teachers specifically, we need to be focused on ensuring we develop teacher efficacy. If we treat teachers like professionals; if we empower them to be able to adjust and try different learning strategies in the classroom and give them opportunity for professional development we will see a direct, positive impact on student outcomes.
• Equity is one of the key issues facing our district. The demographics of our communities and the specific needs of the individual schools means we have to advocate for equitable resources and support. From our older facilities that need repairs and improvements, to investments in technology and the arts, it is up to us to demand that our schools are afforded equal access to these resources. We must address disparities in achievement in our district’s schools, providing additional support to students who may be falling behind and creating enrichment opportunities for those who excel. By focusing on equity, we can ensure that all students, regardless of their background, have the opportunity to reach their full potential.
• Engagement with parents, teachers and administrators is essential in making informed decisions that help our children succeed. If elected, I will actively seek input from parents, teachers, and community members to ensure that the decisions made by the school board are representative of the unique needs and perspectives within our community compared to the rest of the county.

I founded a local non-profit, the Loblolly Pine Alliance, to advocate for responsible growth in Fairview and I currently serve as Co-Chair of the Fairview Parks and Landscaping Board for the City of Fairview.

School board members should strive to represent all of the people that make up their districts, not just those that voted for them. They should conduct the business of the board with integrity and transparency. As elected officials they should strive to find compromise and consensus. Finally, we should never lose sight of the fact that our main objective is to provide our children with the best education, experience and opportunities to find success in their lives.

My entire professional career has been in digital advertising and marketing. Communication with stakeholders; working with both clients and team members to develop goals and meet or exceed those goals; and adaptability are all skills that I have honed over the last 25 years. In addition, I have experience serving as president of a local non-profit and as co-chair of the Parks & Landscaping Board for the City of Fairview. I believe my experience serving on other boards combined with my work experience make me well-suited to serve as a board member.

School board members are elected representatives who advocate for the interests of the families, students and schools in the districts they serve. Additionally, school board members communicate about the policies and goals of the school system to their constituents.

School board members work as a governing body to establish the school system’s policies, goals, and objectives. The school board does not have direct oversight of the daily operations of the school system but does have oversight over the performance of the superintendent in executing the policies and reaching goals set by the board.

Tennessee state law outlines several mandated duties for school boards to fulfill along with additional discretionary ones. Most importantly, the school board has direct oversight of the superintendent, develops and oversees annual budgets, enacts policies and procedures for the administration of the schools and finally, communicates with the community.

We have had some great success at Fairview High School with the Mechatronics program that allows students to be able to finish high school with the opportunity to earn an associates degree from Columbia State. This success shows that there is an opportunity to expand these kinds of programs across the county but particularly in our District 1 schools.

WCS has put a lot of effort in growing the College, Career and Technical Education (CCTE) program. If elected, I would advocate for more availability of the program offerings locally in our District 1 high schools.

I would love to see more programs be implemented that allow students to graduate with a degree or a certificate in a trade program. In addition, we should work to build stronger relationships with the business and companies that may one day employee our high school graduates to enhance the courses and training offered in these courses means our graduates enter into their adult lives with better skills to find success.

I believe school funding should be increased at the state level. Tennessee ranks 44th in the country for per pupil spending and 42nd for teacher pay. We will never be able to make up what is needed to improve that from county revenues alone.

First and foremost, fiscal responsibility is the number one priority. We need to ensure that money that is spent is towards achieving a goal. Second, we need to constantly evaluate long-term forecasts and planning to help identify any potential needs for budget increases as early as possible.

I believe we should change our view of public education that it is a burden on taxpayers. The conversation should instead be focused on the tangible return on investment good public schools are for our communities.

WCS does a very good job of constantly reviewing and updating safety protocols for our schools. Currently, no one is allowed to enter the schools before communicating with office staff by telecom and camera to check the identification of those entering the building before allowing them inside. Also, teachers are required to keep classroom doors locked, and they are only allowed to be opened by the teacher(s) in the room. Cameras are present and able to be viewed by multiple people inside the building. Teachers are given regular safety training and the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) conducts regular training inside our school buildings to keep our students and staff safe. Most of our schools currently have an armed School Resource Officer on site. I am open to any additional and reasonable safety policies that are recommended by WCSO & our safety team. I am confident that the collaboration between WCSO and WCS is well thought out and encompasses our children and school employees’ safety in the best way possible. I am also confident that these protocols and procedures will be updated regularly because safety of our students is the educators’ number one priority.

Specifically for District One, I have concerns with the implications of the new 3rd Grade Retention law and how it will affect our youngest students. Looking at the statewide data from test results, 60% of third graders statewide fell below the threshold last year. That is going to impact a lot of students and their families in our district.

I believe the intention is good but placing so much on TCAP and not on all of the student’s performance to make a significant decision like this is short-sighted. We should be empowering teachers and school administrators who know their students to take the lead on making these determinations. Testing should be a part of that process but not the primary factor.

Regular community events should be a part of a board member’s duties. Being responsive to phone calls and emails is also key to staying connected with one another. Monthly newsletters and/or emails made available to the community also help to inform everyone of the work being done. Transparency and communication are keys to building trust with the community.

One important way we can affect retention as School Board members is to always acknowledge the incredible work our staff, teachers and administrators do every day. They are the backbone of our schools and deserve all of the support we can give them. My goal, if elected, is to celebrate them in their mission and ensure that they have the resources, guidance and support they need from the Central Office and school board.

Being a School Board member is about serving the community and ensuring effective communication is at the heart of my commitment. Being an effective board member requires dedication and a significant time commitment. I am prepared to fulfill my responsibilities, which include:

• Attending all board meetings and committee meetings
  
• Reviewing board documents and reports thoroughly
  
• Researching educational issues and policy proposals
  
• Actively participating in board discussions and decision-making
  
• Meeting with constituents, educators, and community stakeholders on a regular basis
  
• Spending as much time at school events, meetings and ceremonies across the district so that I can get to know and understand the issues each school faces AND celebrate the good that happens every day
  

I understand that the success of our schools depends on open communication, informed decision-making, and community engagement. I am committed to building trust and collaboration with all stakeholders, working tirelessly to achieve a brighter future for all students in our district.