AJC/ACC Voter Guide - School Board Questionnaire

Lyndsey graduated from Milton High School and received a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from Georgia State University. She resides in Roswell with her family. Lyndsey served as PTA (parent-teacher association) President for Vickery Mill Elementary School, helped start the School Meal Program, and served as Vice President (VP) of Fundraising at Mountain Park Elementary School, president of Roswell NEXT, and VP of Roswell Soccer Club.

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Lyndsey is the president of Lyndsey Coates REALTOR, LLC. She is also a licensed realtor with Harry Norman, Realtors. Lyndsey also has more than a decade of marketing experience.

2023 Municipal Elections Wrap Up With December Runoff Election

Lyndsey Coates ran for the Roswell City Council in 2023, but did not win.

Supports expanding Georgia Pre-K programs in schools.

- Supports expanding Georgia Pre-K programs in schools.

Access to Education

Opposes the parental requirement to "opt in" for sex education, as "The major issue of lack of access to essential info could lead to an increase in misinformation among teenagers. It can lead to a lack of preparedness for what happens to the human anatomy, and seems to stigmatize the human body suggesting there is something inherently controversial about it."

Said, "I will advocate for curriculum improvements that are inclusive, comprehensive, and prepare students for a globalized world with a focus on social and emotional well-being. This would include AI (artificial intelligence), STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math), online literacy and put emphasis on critical thinking and problem-solving skills."

- Opposes the parental requirement to "opt in" for sex education, as "The major issue of lack of access to essential info could lead to an increase in misinformation among teenagers. It can lead to a lack of preparedness for what happens to the human anatomy, and seems to stigmatize the human body suggesting there is something inherently controversial about it."
- Said, "I will advocate for curriculum improvements that are inclusive, comprehensive, and prepare students for a globalized world with a focus on social and emotional well-being. This would include AI (artificial intelligence), STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math), online literacy and put emphasis on critical thinking and problem-solving skills."

School Curriculum

Said, "Our board has put FCS (Fulton County Schools) in solid financial shape with no debt by utilizing SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) funds, and not raising the millage rate. I want to continue that legacy."

- Said, "Our board has put FCS (Fulton County Schools) in solid financial shape with no debt by utilizing SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) funds, and not raising the millage rate. I want to continue that legacy."

School Facilities & Resources

Supports promoting safety for students in schools, through investment in safety officers and staff training, and digitally.

- Supports promoting safety for students in schools, through investment in safety officers and staff training, and digitally.

Student Wellbeing

Said, "I will work to get more paraprofessionals in classrooms to provide the much needed support to students and teachers that need it most."

Said, "I believe the most critical issue we ae facing right now is a teacher shortage. There are 30% less people entering the profession since 2020. I want Fulton schools to be the top pick for teachers so we can retain and recruit top talent."

Wants to support teachers by providing "best in class pay and benefits", creating "a cross-school mentorship program for veteran and new teachers", and reducing "paperwork and documentation."

- Said, "I will work to get more paraprofessionals in classrooms to provide the much needed support to students and teachers that need it most."
- Said, "I believe the most critical issue we ae facing right now is a teacher shortage. There are 30% less people entering the profession since 2020. I want Fulton schools to be the top pick for teachers so we can retain and recruit top talent."
- Wants to support teachers by providing "best in class pay and benefits", creating "a cross-school mentorship program for veteran and new teachers", and reducing "paperwork and documentation."

Teachers

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Lyndsey Coates

Sara received a Bachelor of Arts in mass communications from Saint Mary's College. Sara is also the co-president of the Parent Teacher Association and science lab coordinator for Mountain Park Elementary School. She lives in Roswell, Georgia with her husband and two children.

Sara is the human resources payroll and tax administrator for Top Tier Examination Services, LLC. She has worked there for the past year. Previously, she worked as an account manager at CareerBuilder.

Sara Gillespie's campaign for Fulton County Board of Education is her first entry into politics.

Said, "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."

- Said, "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."

Said, "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."

Believes it is important to focus on "foundational academics" like reading, writing, and math.

Supports parental rights in education and said, "When students cross the school building threshold, parents rights should not be left at the door."

- Said, "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."
- Believes it is important to focus on "foundational academics" like reading, writing, and math.
- Supports parental rights in education and said, "When students cross the school building threshold, parents rights should not be left at the door."

Said, "Fostering fiscal responsibility and increasing accountability in managing the school board’s current $2 billion budget is critical so that resources are allocated effectively and efficiently to benefit the students and the taxpayers."

- Said, "Fostering fiscal responsibility and increasing accountability in managing the school board’s current $2 billion budget is critical so that resources are allocated effectively and efficiently to benefit the students and the taxpayers."

Wants to "ensure all students reach their fullest potential in a safe environment."

- Wants to "ensure all students reach their fullest potential in a safe environment."

Wants to provide teachers with fair pay, professional development opportunities, and resources for the classroom.

- Wants to provide teachers with fair pay, professional development opportunities, and resources for the classroom.

Sara E Gillespie

- The Board of Education runs the public school system. The Board of Education is entirely independent from the rest of the county government.
- Board of Education members work together to make school policy, set the budget, and appoint the superintendent to run the schools day to day.
- Board of Education members are elected to four-year terms in nonpartisan elections.

Fulton County Board of Education Member, District 1

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Access to Education

School Curriculum

School Facilities & Resources

Student Wellbeing

Teachers