Get to know John Bradley, Aiken County Board of Education District 8 candidate
Aiken County School District voters will have a chance to choose their representatives for the Board of Education in the upcoming election. The Board is responsible for the governance and oversight of the district, including its schools and programs. One of the races is in District 8, which is currently held by Dr. Lesia Kelly, who is not seeking re-election. John Bradley is the only candidate seeking the position.
Bradley is a graduate of the University of South Carolina Aiken and has worked as a teacher and administrator in the Aiken County Public Schools for over 20 years. He has a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the district, and he is committed to ensuring that all students have access to a quality education. He believes that public schools should be a priority and should receive adequate funding and resources to thrive.
“It’s the most important thing we can do in this county,” Bradley said about education, citing its effect on a strong economy.
Bradley also spoke about the need for better teacher pay, a concern many educators have shared during his time in the education system. He believes it will be a challenge to make sure all Aiken County Schools teachers are receiving what they deserve.
“There’s some pushback on increasing taxes. That will make things difficult, but that’s something we’ll have to look at,” he said. “There are a lot of things we need to address in terms of the way we are managing funds in this county. This board could potentially have a large effect on how funds are being spent. We can ensure that all students are receiving a quality education and our schools are getting the funding they need to function properly.”
The importance of diversity and inclusion in school was brought up as well. Bradley mentioned his view that, for education to succeed, it is necessary for “a place where everyone is seen and heard and valued, regardless of their differences,” and feels that the system should encourage diversity by embracing the difference.
“When I hear about how people in this county are concerned about issues such as curriculum changes, it always makes me come back to my purpose: That I should advocate for each child,” he stated. He stressed the importance of ensuring every student has access to quality education.
The next board election for Aiken County School District will be held on Tuesday, November 7. Voting will take place at each school within the Aiken County Public School system.
