Jim Parmer, former principal of Oakland School, is seeking a position as a School Board Member. He lives in the Cartecay Community. He has been in Gilmer County since 1999. He has seen growth of businesses and the expansion of East Ellijay and Ellijay since that time. He believes the educational opportunities of a community have always been an important aspect of a community.

“Citizens want to be where the educational system and educational opportunities for their child ranks high in importance”

he said.Mr. Parmer retired in 2009 after 37 years in the education field. He said

“I have been blessed to have had the opportunity to serve in all capacities as a teacher (8 years) and as a school administrator (29 years).”

He has been a high school principal/administrator, middle school administrator, elementary school principal and a primary school principal. He even had the privilege to serve in a central office capacity as an Assistant Director of Facilities and Assistant Director of Transportation. Through many years of experience he developed the understanding that parents, teachers, lunchroom personnel, custodians and bus drivers are all important in a child’s life. That everyone plays an important part in the puzzle that makes each student a success.

Mr. Parmer believes that Gilmer County has successful parents, teachers and school staffs, but most of all we have successful students. Let’s keep on track to provide a positive and open school system where everyone has a voice and everyone is heard. With a vast background, Mr. Parmer may have knowledge of many things, but he admits that he does not know everything. He wants to rely on others for information and is open and receptive to different ideas and approaches.

Not only has Mr. Parmer been in the education field for nearly 40 years, he is also a Vietnam Veteran, Desert Storm Veteran and an Iraqi Freedom Veteran. He served 15 months in Iraqi while principal of Oakland School. He had the opportunity to call the school each day from Iraqi, Germany, Kuwait and Qatar and lead students and staff in the “Pledge of Allegiance” and the “moment of silence” and the morning announcements via the telephone. He retired from the US Army with 24 years in 2008 as Command Sergeant Major. As CSM, his job was to advise the Commander, oversee millions of dollars in equipment, make difficult decisions and to insure the well being of all the soldiers in the battalion.

Some ideas he would like to see implemented are: Change the meeting time of the Board to a more convenient time for the public. One idea would be to have the meeting on Saturdays. Have the work session early, and then take an hour break to allow for interaction with the Board Members. This would allow the public (parents, school personnel and community members) to be involved in decision making. What a novel idea! Afterwards, have the regular Board meeting. If there are items which raise much concern, we may need to postpone the decision until the next month’s meeting. He would encourage each board member to have a group of citizens (parents, teachers, administrators and business community members) that they communicate with on a regular basis as needed on important educational decisions (ie: buying a bank building). He says

“Who knows better what’s going on in the system than those involved in the system and the community”.

Anyone who could not attend the meetings could voice their concerns through those individuals.

Mr. Parmer, who substitutes 100 to 120 days a school year in a neighboring system, would love to see each board member substitute occasionally in the system. They would be able to feel firsthand the joy, sorrow, frustration and the happiness of students and school staff witnessed on a daily basis. How can we govern something (make decisions regarding our students and staff) and not understand what is required to educate our students! You will see a wonderful student body and a loving, caring and thoughtful school staff. If you have not “walked a mile in their shoes”, then try it!

He sums it all up by saying

“Let’s all work together to make a difference in each child’s life. When you care, you Share… Share with someone today!”