On June 9, Cobb County residents will have the opportunity to vote for a variety of political offices. EAST COBBER presents the Republican and Democratic candidates running in the primary election for the Cobb County School Board – Post 5.

DAVID BANKS (R)-Incumbent

davidbanksforschools.comREPUBLICAN & DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES FOR COBB COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD – POST 5 2

AGE: 80

CITY, STATE BORN: Atlanta, Georgia

EDUCATION: BBA (68) Georgia State University, MBA (71) Georgia State University

OCCUPATION: Retired

FAMILY: Kay Hardin Banks (wife); Victoria Kay Banks (daughter); Jason David Banks (son); James Christian Banks (son);
Rebecca Emilie Banks (daughter, deceased)

ORGANIZATIONS YOU BELONG TO: Cobb County Republican Party; Johnson Ferry Baptist Church

HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED IN EAST COBB/COBB COUNTY? 51 years

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN ELECTED TO A PUBLIC OFFICE? IF YES, PLEASE LIST OFFICE AND YEAR(S): Yes. 2008, 2012, 2016 – Cobb County School Board – Post 5

PLEASE DESCRIBE THIS OFFICE’S DUTIES & ITS IMPACT ON EAST COBB: Provide governance for the Cobb County School District.

PLEASE DESCRIBE THE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE THAT QUALIFY YOU FOR THIS OFFICE. I have been a member of the Cobb County Republican Party since 1992. During that time, I was membership chairman for several years. Over the years, I have worked on several local and State candidate campaigns. I was an original member of the established Cobb County School Blue Ribbon Committee for three years in the late 1990’s. This opportunity gave me an in-depth perspective of the state of the school system and the critical needs of the school system.

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE FACING YOUR POLITICAL OF- FICE, AND IF ELECTED, WHAT WILL YOU DO ABOUT IT? Provide information to constituents who no longer have children in the school system the importance of the continuance of an aggressively improving teaching and learning environment. The reputation of a school system effects the home value which is, for most, the largest investment a constituent will make during their lifetime. Providing the latest in technology to the academic process. A constant concern I have; is the school system providing the learning path to students entering first grade for their future 12-16 years from now so they will have a successful and prosperous life. Is the school system preparing for the future environment of Artificial Intelligence and to manage the future environment?

WHO DO YOU ADMIRE MOST, AND WHY? President Donald Trump and President Ronald Reagan. They both led the nation to greater prosperity. President Dwight Eisenhower who created our Interstate highway system.

PLEASE LIST THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE YOU AS A PERSON:
1. Aggressive; 2. Thinker; 3. Negotiator

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MATT HARPER (R)

www.HarperForCobbSchools.comREPUBLICAN & DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES FOR COBB COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD – POST 5 3

AGE: 44

CITY, STATE BORN: Savannah, GA

EDUCATION: University of Georgia (B.S.F.R.), Young Harris College (A.S.), Kennesaw State University (GIS Certificate), Institute for Georgia Environmental Leadership (IGEL) Class of 2011

OCCUPATION: Project Manager (PMP), Previous science lab instructor at Murdock Elementary

FAMILY: Married to Sharon for 14 years; father of two daughters who at- tend Cobb County Schools

HOBBIES: Woodworking and anything outdoors

ORGANIZATIONS YOU BELONG TO: Project Management Institute, Georgia PTA, Murdock Elementary School PTA, Dodgen Middle School PTSA, Woodstock City Church

HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED IN EAST COBB/COBB COUNTY? My family moved to East Cobb when I was 2 years old and I attended Murdock, Dodgen and Walton. After graduating college and spending a few years closer to downtown Atlanta, I returned home to East Cobb to raise my own family.

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN ELECTED TO A PUBLIC OFFICE? No

PLEASE DESCRIBE THIS OFFICE’S DUTIES & ITS IMPACT ON EAST COBB: School board members are a bridge between the community and the school district and consider the concerns of students, parents, teachers and taxpayers in decision making. As your next school board member, I will provide budgetary and policy oversight to ensure the school district is always improving the education our students receive and maintaining accreditation. I will also keep a strong financial status and evaluate how every dollar is spent to protect taxpayers, property owners and the current senior tax exemption.

PLEASE DESCRIBE THE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE THAT QUALIFY YOU FOR THIS OFFICE. I am the only candidate that has experience as an educator (Science Lab Instructor at Murdock Elementary) and over a decade of experience in regional and state planning and policy development (Atlanta Regional Commission and State of Georgia). I have responsibly managed multi-million-dollar government budgets and contracts and have a successful record of collaborating and building consensus among stakeholders, local governments, and community groups to develop solutions for our region.

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE FACING YOUR POLITICAL OFFICE, AND, IF ELECTED, WHAT WILL YOU DO ABOUT IT? Our school-aged families understand that education cannot succeed as a “one size fits all” approach and we need to ensure we provide varied education pathways for our students. We need to provide opportunities for college and trades, as well as improve communication between families, staff and the community to ensure we achieve the established school board goal to “differentiate resources for students based on needs.” We need to ensure our education pathways and vision meet the needs of our ever-changing work force.

WHO DO YOU ADMIRE MOST, AND WHY? Our Cobb educators and staff! I was fortunate enough to work at Murdock Elementary for three years as the Science Lab Instructor and witness the care and dedication of the education community first-hand. Their love for our children is nothing short of amazing.

PLEASE LIST THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE YOU AS A PERSON: 1. Patient; 2. Hardworking; 3. Conscientious

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SHELLEY O’MALLEY (R)

REPUBLICAN & DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES FOR COBB COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD – POST 5 4www.TeamOMalleyGA.com

AGE: 54

CITY, STATE BORN: Washington, DC

EDUCATION: US Naval Academy (USNA), Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering, with Distinction

OCCUPATION: mom, Delta Air Lines pilot

FAMILY: Husband, Brian; Daughters, Shannon and Lauren; Son, Luke

HOBBIES: Tennis, kids activities/events, working out, biking/hiking

ORGANIZATIONS YOU BELONG TO: Cobb Veterans Memorial  Foundation, USNA Alumni Association, USNA Parents Club, UGA Swim and Dive Parents Club, Transfiguration Catholic Church

HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED IN EAST COBB/COBB COUNTY? 22 years

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN ELECTED TO A PUBLIC OFFICE? No

PLEASE DESCRIBE THIS OFFICE’S DUTIES & ITS IMPACT ON EAST COBB: Oversees budget and management of properties and facilities; hiring and placing of school leadership, formulating plans and vision for Cobb County’s 112 schools and communities in which they reside.

PLEASE DESCRIBE THE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE THAT QUALIFY YOU FOR THIS OFFICE. I have been actively involved in education my entire adult life, from my early years tutoring as a young  junior officer in San Diego, to being the Educational Services Officer (improving enlisted advancement by 70%), to my years as a flight instructor both in the Navy, teaching students to  land on aircraft carriers, and at Delta Air Lines. I have spent 22 years raising our 3 wonderful children with my husband in CCSD  schools (Rocky Mount, Simpson, Lassiter) and have volunteered in leadership roles in PTA/PTSA, as well as teaching church school and volunteering for community, school and club teams for our children.

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE FACING YOUR POLITICAL OFFICE, AND, IF ELECTED, WHAT WILL YOU DO ABOUT IT? I want to ensure that we are doing all we can to improve the classroom setting in our schools, that we have respectful learning environments, that we are leveraging technology smartly and integrating it at the right times in the education process. I want content
to be readily available to teachers, students and parents; and I believe that the CTLS system has the potential to do that. We should all be on the same team with regard to helping our children reach their potential.

WHO DO YOU ADMIRE MOST, AND WHY? Well, considering that I just met her the other day, Nikki Haley. She has been a fearless leader for her state and our nation. She is confident but not arrogant. She believes in the best in people, but is willing to call out the worst. Another person I admire is our former CEO at Delta, Richard Anderson. He always showed clarity of purpose and recognized that you have to know what your mission is before you can commit to doing it with excellence. My family is my inspiration, and my parents and coaches have made me who I am. To them, I am grateful.

PLEASE LIST THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE YOU AS A PERSON: 1. Passionate, 2. Honest; 3. Hard-working

DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES FOR COBB COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD – POST 5

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TAMMY ANDRESS (D)REPUBLICAN & DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES FOR COBB COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD – POST 5 5

tammyforschoolboard.com

AGE: 54

CITY, STATE BORN: Elsworth Air Force Base, Rapid City, SD

EDUCATION: Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resource Management from Auburn University

OCCUPATION: Marketing Specialist, Zaxby’s Sandy Plains; PTSA President, Lassiter High School, Vice President East Cobb Council of PTAs

FAMILY: Husband: Kiffer Andress; Daughters: Hannah Andress, 19; Rebekah Andress, 16; Rachel Andress, 15

HOBBIES: Gardening, Reading, Family, Educational Advocacy

ORGANIZATIONS YOU BELONG TO: National, State and Local Unit PTAs

HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED IN EAST COBB/COBB COUNTY? Almost 16 Years

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN ELECTED TO A PUBLIC OFFICE? No

PLEASE DESCRIBE THIS OFFICE’S DUTIES & ITS IMPACT ON EAST COBB: The primary duty of this office is to be a voice for the people of not only Post 5 but also Cobb County regarding the state of public education. Cobb County has long prided itself on being a great community to live in; to raise a family in; to retire in.

PLEASE DESCRIBE THE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE THAT QUALIFY YOU FOR THIS OFFICE. I have been an advocate for education since 2005 when my children started in public school. After understanding the challenges faced by our educators in providing proper education for all our children, I became active in the PTA’s at my local units, holding multiple executive board positions, including President at Davis Elementary, Mabry Middle School and Lassiter High School, where I am the current co-President. Further, I am a Vice President on the Executive Board of the East Cobb Council of PTA’s (ECCC PTA), which represents 35 schools in the East Cobb area.

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE FACING YOUR POLITICAL OFFICE, AND, IF ELECTED, WHAT WILL YOU DO ABOUT IT? The most important issue currently facing Cobb County Public Education is, of course, Covid-19 and the closure of Cobb County schools for an extended period of time. This unprecedented act of imposed self-isolation has stretched our school resources and ability to not only teach but also to act as a surrogate home to our children. The logistics of educating, feeding and protecting our students is enormous and the learning curve to success is daunting. Under normal circumstances, however, the biggest issue to guaranteeing continued and improved success in educating our students is “How do we ensure ALL our students, regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, learning and/or physical abilities and socio-economic status, etc. are educated appropriately for future success”? We can improve the quality of education by (1) protecting our teachers and providing them the resources they need to educate, including planning time, (2) reducing class size by hiring more qualified educators, (3) promoting continued education by both teachers and administrators in areas of diversity and sensitivity, technology integration in the classroom, etc. and (4) listening and HEARING our Administrators as they request items they know are needed for their schools.

WHO DO YOU ADMIRE MOST, AND WHY? There are so many people I admire ranging from Queen Elizabeth I to Mother Teresa to Malala. Having three daughters has lead me to admire courageous women who encourage strength, passion, perseverance and the pursuit of knowledge.

PLEASE LIST THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE YOU AS A PERSON:
1. Dedicated; 2. Passionate; 3. Loyal

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JULIA HURTADO (D)REPUBLICAN & DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES FOR COBB COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD – POST 5 8

www.juliaforcobb.com

AGE: 35

CITY, STATE BORN: Born in Arlington, Virginia, grew up in South Florida, moved to the Atlanta area in 2007. My husband and I have lived in our East Cobb home for over eight years.

EDUCATION: I earned my Bachelors in Health Science from the University of Florida in 2007 and then went on to get my Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Emory University in 2010. I earned my Board Specialty Certification in Neurologic Physical Therapy in 2014.

OCCUPATION: I’m a physical therapist and I practice at the Shepherd Center’s Complex Concussion Clinic.

FAMILY: Husband, David Hurtado; Daughter, Ellie

HOBBIES: I believe that we are living in a golden era of television, but I also go through novels and biographies fairly quickly. When I’m not being a couch potato, I enjoy training for triathlons and playing outside with my family.

ORGANIZATIONS YOU BELONG TO: I’m a member of the American Physical Therapy Association, the Physical Therapy Association of Georgia, and the Anti-Defamation League. I have volunteered with Moms Demand Action and You Lucky Dog Rescue. I lead my daughter’s Girl Scouts troop and I volunteer within her school. My family also belongs to The Temple, a Reform Jewish synagogue in Midtown.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED IN EAST COBB/COBB COUNTY? Eight years.

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN ELECTED TO A PUBLIC OFFICE? No.

PLEASE DESCRIBE THIS OFFICE’S DUTIES & ITS IMPACT ON EAST COBB: The Board of Education’s job is to assist Cobb county schools in producing functioning members of our community through public education.

PLEASE DESCRIBE THE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE THAT QUALIFY YOU FOR THIS OFFICE. As a neurologic physical therapist who treats student-athletes with concussion, it’s literally my job to advocate for kids. My doctorate degree covered topics ranging from neurocognitive development to behavioral health among adolescents and in the workplace. This uniquely positions me to tackle tough issues like scarce school counseling services and inadequate special education resources. I understand how to break down a problem and find functional, practical solutions, and I’m experienced in working in a team setting to get things done.

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE FACING YOUR POLITICAL OFFICE, AND, IF ELECTED, WHAT WILL YOU DO ABOUT IT? Our biggest issues right now are equity and transparency. Many of our current policies treat every student the same way, regardless of their differences, and end up failing or overly punishing the students who don’t fit into these impossible molds. Every student has different needs and requires different resources. Kids who are falling behind because they’re experiencing hate anywhere along the spectrum from bullying to racism need to have their voices heard and deserve both investigation and solution. We also need to be able to have conversations about these tough issues in the first place, which is why we need to reinstate Board Member comments. We can’t solve problems without discussion, and the community needs to be included in the dialogue.

WHO DO YOU ADMIRE MOST, AND WHY? My daughter. Kids are so resilient. And she is relentlessly kind. She has known exactly who she is since Day One and teaches me every day how to trust myself and do the right thing.

PLEASE LIST THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE YOU AS A PERSON:
1. Joyful; 2. Persistent; 3. Helpful