Over the past 24 years, Jim has been an employee of Newport News Public Schools where he gained a wealth of knowledge into the workings of a school system from a Staff Support position. He led many technology projects that involved the continual upgrading and replacement of infrastructure for both the use of teaching technology mandated by the state, as well as the planning and completion of new s
chool buildings. He have engaged in and witnessed the ongoing struggle teachers and staff have with the evolving social media influence and how it has affected students and society as a whole. His role has been instrumental in developing policy for our technology use, network access, and ensuring the district stays compliant with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA), FERPA, and HIPPA. These experiences have provided him with a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by our local schools and the students they serve. Additionally, Jim has been part of the technology budget process over the last 15 years, to include: getting quotes via RFP, IFB, or state contracts within the district’s purchase order process. He has also worked with eRate, Title I, and other grant funds to procure resources to enhance student’s learning in the classroom. While he does not have experience in curriculum, he has a unique perspective into what discipline practices do not work and want to make our classrooms and schools less disruptive and more focused on education. For the last four years, Jim has been a citizen representative on the Gloucester County Telecommunications Committee. During that time, they have been working to get broadband connectivity for the whole county. He is also a citizen representative and Community Emergency Response Team (C.E.R.T.) On the Local Emergency Planning Committee, he has worked with all entities involved in emergencies throughout the county, including representatives from Gloucester County Public Schools. He is serving as the Operations Chief for Gloucester County C.E.R.T.. As the Operations Chief, my duties include managing the resources, personnel, and priorities given to us by the Emergency Operations Center during emergencies. As a leader of C.E.R.T., he continually demonstrate the way all C.E.R.T. members should behave and carry themselves when working with the community. He firmly believes every student in Gloucester County, and throughout the country, deserves access to a high-quality education that fosters their personal growth and aids in their future successes. Jim's resume does not include the standard college degree that looms over many children, even those whose aspirations lead them to careers that do not require a college degree. While he has attended college, but did not complete it, the experience helped him realize not all pathways have a stop at college to obtain a degree. Each individual's path is one uniquely made for them. The military was one path he chose. He served from 1987 to 2009. His path took him from Pennsylvania where he served in the Air Force and Army National Guard to Virginia where he also served in the Air Force National Guard. Students should be encouraged to take the paths they desire, not the ones society wants them to desire. It would be part of his mission to ensure that there are adequate resources and programs provided to the children of Gloucester County to pave their path forward. If elected as a school board member, Jim is committed to:
• Collaborating with fellow board members to develop and implement policies that prioritize student well-being and academic achievement.
• Ensuring transparency and accountability in all decisions regarding resource allocation, curriculum development, and educational programs.
• Engaging with the community to understand diverse perspectives and ensure that the voices of parents, teachers, and students are heard and considered.
