McDowell News: Questions for McDowell School Board candidates in GOP primary: Greg Barksdale

Greg attended McDowell High School and Western Carolina University. He currently lives in Marion, North Carolina with his wife.

Greg is the director of the McDowell County Shooting Range. He previously worked as a school bus safety inspector at the North Carolina Department of Transportation. Beforehand, Greg was the director of education at the local community college system. Greg previously served in the military.

Greg Barksdale previously served as a member of the McDowell County Board of Education for eight years.

As of June 8, 2025, Greg Barksdale did not have a website or any information online.

School Facilities & Resources

Supports broadcasting all board meetings on public access television.

- Supports broadcasting all board meetings on public access television.

Access to Education

Teachers

Opposes the ability of parents to be able to consent for their children to view certain explicit materials.

Said, "I will make a motion for the superintendent to remove all pornographic materials permanently from school property within five working days of the motion."

Opposes diversity, equity, and inclusion education in McDowell County schools.

- Opposes the ability of parents to be able to consent for their children to view certain explicit materials.
- Said, "I will make a motion for the superintendent to remove all pornographic materials permanently from school property within five working days of the motion."
- Opposes diversity, equity, and inclusion education in McDowell County schools.

School Curriculum

Student Wellbeing

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Greg Barksdale

McDowell County School District, Donnie Suttles

Donnie is from McDowell County and attended McDowell High School. He earned his bachelor's degree in sociology and physical education from Western Carolina University. He and his wife, Amy, have 2 children. They live in Cookeville and are members of the West Court Baptist Church.

Donnie currently works as the owner and president of Mountain Elite Sports and as the head softball coach at Brunswick Community College. He previously worked as an area supervisor scout for the San Francisco Giants, a baseball coach at Tennessee Tech University, as the head baseball coach at TC Roberson High School, a teacher at McDowell High, and as a professional baseball with the Cleveland Indians.

Donnie Suttles currently serves as a McDowell County Board of Education member representing Marion District. 

As of June 8, 2025, Donnie Suttles did not have a website or any information online.

Donnie Suttles

- The Board of Education runs the public school system. They create policies that establish standards, accountability and evaluation of essential operations of the school system.
- The Board of Education member hires a superintendent and can remove them when necessary. The superintendent assists the Board of Education in implementing the board’s policies. 
- The Board of Education is charged with deciding the school budget. This means they decide how to allocate money between different services, such as teacher pay, repairing school facilities, or access to technology.
- Board of Education members are elected every four years. 