NORMAN — Here are the candidates for Norman Board of Education seat 3, which is a five-year term:
· Gary Barksdale: Barksdale is a life-long resident of Norman and a single father of a NPS middle school student.
Currently a math teacher at the University of Oklahoma and part-time adjunct professor at OCCC, Barksdale also has had teaching positions for Tecumseh Schools, the Department of Human Services and the Office of Juvenile Affairs.
Barksdale’s volunteer commitments include Parish council member at St. Joseph Church, PTA president at Adams Elementary, homeroom parent, volunteer soccer coach for eight years, Adopt A Professor volunteer, Math Counts volunteer and RE teacher at St. Mark Catholic Church.
On why he is interested in the school board seat, Barksdale said, “I’ve always been active in education, it’s always been my life, and if I can influence change, the board is a great avenue. NPS doesn’t need lots of change. We have an outstanding board and public school system here.
“I want to do whatever I can to maintain the level of excellence we have and do what we can to ensure our schools are safe. I have a lot of irons in the fire but am happy to do my part. Service to the community is paramount to me.”
Of particular concern to Barksdale are school safety and traffic/bus safety.
· Cindy Nashert: Nashert currently owns and operates an insurance agency and serves United Way of Norman as its campaign co-chair.
Nashert is an active community volunteer and has served as president of the board of directors for the Norman Chamber of Commerce, the Norman Rotary Club and Hi-Noon Business and Professional Women, according to the release.
She also served as PTA president at Jackson Elementary School, where her three children attended. They are all recent graduates of Norman Public Schools and currently are pursuing degrees at the University of Oklahoma.
On why she is interested in the school board seat, Nashert said, “I’ve now become an empty nest mom and feel I’d have the time. I loved my time in NPS and this would be a great opportunity to give back to the schools.
“I’m a business person, so I feel my experience with United Way, the chamber and Rotary would help the board. There are some important things I’d like to address, such as fiscal responsibility, equal opportunity for students and, as a parent/PTA president at Jackson, safety of our schools.”
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