JONATHAN VANDERFORD
For School Board, District 5
Conservative Republican Leadership
CANDIDATE BIO
As a young professional, I see the difficulties our students face every day as they try to figure out what to do after graduation—often leaving them with a lack of knowledge and direction in life.
From starting my career in the retail business and working my way into management, to apprenticing with a local HVAC contractor, I have seen firsthand what it takes to survive, build, learn, and grow in today’s economy. Currently holding my license in the HVAC trade, I have witnessed firsthand the opportunities and benefits of alternative career paths.
In just the last year, I have gotten married to my beautiful bride, Mary, and we have a strong desire to grow our family right here in Franklin County. I want a school system that builds successful professional lives for our students.
I truly believe the Franklin County School Board needs a member who understands the struggles graduates face today—someone who fights for their interests regardless of how it may look in the news, while always putting the essentials of academic achievement first and foremost.
If you agree, I hope you will join me in this effort to raise our sights and expectations within the Franklin County School Board.
PREPARING OUR STUDENTS FOR LIFE
Our students are leaving high school with little idea of what to do next, while simultaneously being pushed into four-year colleges that often leave them with significant debt.
My goal as your next school board member is to work with these young adults to help them find a career future. From expanding our CTE programs to include trades such as HVAC, plumbing, and electrical work, to boosting involvement with local business owners to create apprenticeship pathways, this must be a top priority to ensure a strong and successful future for our district.
Our children are Franklin County’s most valuable resource, and their safety will always be my top priority. I will fight for top-tier safety standards in every classroom by working closely with our Superintendent and the Sheriff’s Office to ensure schools have the support they need.
Together, we will make Franklin County schools some of the safest in North Carolina.
SCHOOL SAFETY
FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
We need leaders who are ready to work with local, state, and federal governments—leaders who can adjust and adapt to what is best for their community.
From increasing wages for our best employees to identifying and improving failing departments, I am ready to work for students, parents, and teachers to create the most prosperous district possible.
Currently, our third-grade reading proficiency is 45.4%, yet we are graduating students at a rate of 85.1%. The current board is pushing students beyond their abilities, leaving them struggling to grasp current coursework.
Unfortunately, this is not just a Franklin County issue—it is a statewide problem. To improve these outcomes, we must set old approaches aside and focus on strong teacher-student relationships. Through additional tutoring opportunities and smaller class sizes, we must return our focus to the ABCs of learning.
A FOCUS ON READING, WRITING, AND ARITHMETIC
ACCOUNTABLE TO PARENTS
From the launch of this campaign, the focus has been on strengthening parent-child relationships. Understanding the desires and needs of parents is critical to building a school system that not only meets but exceeds the needs of our students.
I will always be willing to sit down with anyone to have a conversation, understand your background, or hear your concerns and passions on any issue. Education is not a one-size-fits-all approach—we must work together to create a system that truly benefits our students.
TOGETHER FOR OUR STUDENTS
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