What is your name?

Sara Gillespie

Tell us more about yourself.

I'm a leader in Roswell’s educational community, with professional experience that spans both the education and business sectors. As a former associate director of college admissions, I saw firsthand the importance of foundational academics. I currently work with my husband in our national accounting and finance consulting business, headquartered in Roswell, where I play a strategic role in the financial affairs of our business. I have held many volunteer roles in our public schools and community. For instance, I am currently the co-PTA president at Mountain Park Elementary School in Roswell. I believe that through community involvement and foundational academics we can help our children become college and career ready.

What office are you running for?

Fulton County School Board, District 1

What is your party affiliation?

Non-Partisan

Attach a photo of yourself

Attach your resume or CV.

Where did you go to school?

- B.A., Mass Communications, Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame, Ind., 2000-2003 - General Studies, Holy Cross College, Notre Dame, Ind., 1998-2000 - Niles Senior High School, Niles, Mich.

Provide the link to your campaign website.

www.sara4fcs.com

What is your job/occupation?

Human Resources, payroll and tax specialist

What city/neighborhood do you live in?

Roswell

Is this your first time running for office?

Yes

What experiences have best prepared you to hold elected office?

My professional careers as an associate director of college admissions, account manager at CareerBuilder.com, and my role in our national accounting and finance consulting business provides me with the tools and insight to successfully work with the departments of Fulton County Schools and advocate for students and parents. I have experienced how foundation academics, investment in our teachers and community involvement prepare our children to become college and career ready. I am prepared to make informed decisions for our schools and students, and to take a fiscally responsible approach to managing the Fulton County School Board's $2 billion budget.

What is the most critical issue currently facing your district and how would you address it?

It's important to focus on foundational academics: reading, writing and arithmetic. Through foundational academics and community involvement, we can ensure our students are college and career ready. While technology is an important tool for our students future, I believe we should revisit the level of the use of devices in our prekindergarten-5th grade grade classrooms. Conversation with teachers and peers and play based learning promote stronger critical thinking skills.

What are your thoughts on the role of public schools in educating students about potentially controversial topics?

What’s something the district isn’t doing now that you think it should do?

Pre-K is an important component for our students to be successful. Through increased pre-K programming we can set a strong foundation for our students to successfully transition to elementary school and begin to cement the importance of life long learning. I would like to continue to promote pre-K programming in our Fulton County School system to ensure all students have an opportunity to begin their educational journey with the tools necessary to be confident and successful community leaders.

What would you suggest so your school board can work better together?

What do you think about a parental requirement to “opt in” if they want their child to receive sex education?

Parents rights should not be overlooked. When students cross the school building threshold, parents rights should not be left at the door. I support parental rights in our schools. The Fulton County Schools charter is designed to allow parents, schools and teachers the opportunity to work together to ensure all children reach their fullest potential.