David has a masters degree in teaching from Vanderbilt University and a law degree from Wake Forest University. David and his wife Suzanne Schafer-Coates reside in Greensboro and have three sons. He volunteers as a member of Summit Rotary Club and attends College Park Baptist Church. 

David is retired, having practiced law in New Jersey. He served at the lawyer for the East Windsor Regional School Board for 37 consecutive one-year terms. 

David Coates' campaign for County Board of Education Member is his first run for public office.


Candidate website

Believes that "sound internal accounting systems, no tolerance for waste, and prudent and effective use of funds" are essential for securing adequate school funding. Emphasizes that "every wasted dollar is a dollar not available for educating children."

Supports sound internal accounting systems, no tolerance for waste, and prudent and effective use of funds.

Believes the Guilford County School District must continuously improve school facilities and resources through bonds and various programs. Said, "the need... is not only to be reformed, but always reforming."

Supports continuous improvement of school facilities and resources through bonds and various programs. 

- Supports sound internal accounting systems, no tolerance for waste, and prudent and effective use of funds.
- Supports continuous improvement of school facilities and resources through bonds and various programs. 

School Facilities & Resources

As of June 14, 2024, David Coates’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Access to Education

Believes excellent teaching results from "high expectations, good pay and benefits, continuing education and proper supervision, help, and evaluation." Supports communities demanding high educational standards for all children.

Supports high expectations, good pay and benefits, continuing education, proper supervision, help, and evaluation.

- Supports high expectations, good pay and benefits, continuing education, proper supervision, help, and evaluation.

Teachers

Believes a civics curriculum is essential for students to understand history, the Constitution, and the court system to achieve “a more perfect union.”

School Curriculum

Believes "all children can learn" but emphasizes that those who are hungry or feel unsafe cannot. Supports having a full-time school nurse to address these issues.

Supports having a full-time school nurse.

- Supports having a full-time school nurse.

Student Wellbeing

David Coates

David is retired, having practiced law in New Jersey.

David Coates served 37 terms on the East Windsor Regional School Board from 1982 to 2019.

Believes that understanding the disparities in educational access is crucial for both the privileged and disadvantaged to achieve their aspirations.

Believes high-tech industries seek literate employees, emphasizing the importance of education for community job opportunities.

The candidate's website says, "-- Attractive pay for teachers and staff"

Believes in an educational system that addresses the whole child with high expectations, rigorous instruction, and a strong emphasis on reading, writing, mathematics, and scientific method. Supports exposure to art, music, sports, and extracurricular activities for all students.

Believes education should prepare children to be productive members of the emerging world. Said, "An educational system that does not adequately prepare children for this emerging world does children a disservice."

Believes children cannot learn if they feel unsafe and supports proactive measures against bullying and prioritizing physical safety.

David Coates, along with his wife Suzanne Schafer-Coates, resides in North Carolina and is not originally from the state. They have a family that includes three sons and three grandchildren. David is an alumnus of Wake Forest University, where he also earned his Juris Doctor, and he holds a Master of Arts in Teaching Degree from Vanderbilt University.

David Coates is a former lawyer from New Jersey who served as counsel for the East Windsor Regional School Board from 1982 to 2019. He has also been co-lead counsel on legal challenges to New Jersey's public school funding methods. Coates holds a Juris Doctor from Wake Forest School of Law.

David Coates has not held elected office but was appointed to consecutive 1-year terms as counsel for the East Windsor Regional School Board from 1982 to 2019. He is currently running for District 3's seat on the Guilford County School Board.

- 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. 

Member of the board that governs your county's public school system