Expect More for Montgomery Public Schools gives endorsements for MPS School Board candidates

Earlier this week,  the Expect More for Montgomery Public Schools Campaign, a group that describes itself as a “diverse, bipartisan coalition of Montgomery-area young professionals” offered its endorsements for Montgomery County Board of Education.

Expect More explained these endorsements were an effort to elect new leadership for the beleaguered Montgomery public schools.

“The Montgomery Public School board is broken,” Brandon Taylor, chair of Expect More for Montgomery Public Schools, said in a statement. “More of our schools are failing, our schools’ finances are in disarray, and our accreditation is at risk. On June 5, our community must support a clean slate of new leaders and fresh ideas in order to ensure that every MPS student has the opportunity to succeed in college or their career.”

The endorsements from Expect More for the June 5 primary races are as follows:

District 2 Democratic Primary: Clare Weil

Clare Weil is a successful businesswoman and entrepreneur who has owned and operated numerous UPS stores in Montgomery and Prattville. As a business owner with several local employees, she sees first hand that many MPS graduates are not prepared for college and a career after high school. In response, she has volunteered time and resources from her stores to help students and teachers get what they need to improve student achievement. If elected, Ms. Weil will bring strong business and problem-solving skills to the school system.

District 2 Republican Primary: Ted Lowry

Ted Lowry is a retired Air Force colonel whose primary role in the military was to turn around struggling organizations that were costing taxpayers millions of dollars. A former Commander at Gunter Air Force Base, Col. Lowry was part of the River Region team that saved Gunter from closure, protecting thousands of jobs across the area. Col. Lowry’s opponent in the primary is the self-proclaimed, hand-picked successor of the district’s current MPS board representative. The problems built up over the last few years demonstrate that the current board’s approach is not serving our students well.

District 5 Democratic Primary: Carey Owens, Jr.

Carey Owens is a successful businessman and education advocate. He is currently the Central Alabama Program Coordinator for Emerge Community Solutions, where he mentors young men in underserved neighborhoods through various programs and initiatives. Mr. Owens is experienced in bringing together various stakeholders in support of innovative initiatives and will bring the same level of community engagement and involvement to the school board.

District 5 Republican Primary: Jannah Bailey

Jannah Bailey is the executive director of Child Protect Children’s Advocacy Center in Montgomery. In this capacity, she works with community partners to help young children through difficult situations. Mrs. Bailey understands that educating a child does not begin or end at the schoolhouse door, and her experience would bring to the Montgomery School Board new ideas for how to engage local families.

Expect More also offered its guidance for Montgomery County’s District 6.

“In addition, the Expect More for Montgomery Public Schools campaign is encouraging voters in the District 6 Democratic Primary to oppose current MPS Board Chair Robert Porterfield, and all incumbents or their handpicked successors,” Expect More’s statement explained.

@Jeff_Poor is a graduate of Auburn University and is the editor of Breitbart TV.