Meet the Candidates
Wheeler County Board of Education At-Large Seat Brian Screws 1. 1. I am a 2004 graduate of Wheeler County High School and have proudly called this community home my entire life. My wife, Arica, and I are raising our four children here – Jake, Maci, Emma, and Riley, so I’m deeply invested in the success of our schools. I bring 17 years of experience in public safety, along with service on both state and county boards. I am a certified POST Instructor and Peer Counselor, which has strengthened my leadership, communication, and commitment to serving others. We attend Connection Church Vidalia, and my kids are involved in numerous programs our schools offer.
2. My largest drive to run for office is my children. This, combined with my desire to see our schools succeed, fuels my ambition to run. I have four children spread across Elementary, Middle, and High School. My 17 years in public safety have enabled me to work with people from all walks of life and be diplomatic with people who, at times, I don’t agree with. It has taught me to make decisions that have lasting effects on people’s careers and reputations, and how to consider the facts, not feelings, when making those decisions. I have been entrusted to manage state projects that carry tens of millions of dollars in value, where I saved taxpayer dollars while accomplishing the mission in front of me. My Instructor and Peer Counselor certifications help sharpen my skills in communicating and recognizing the lasting effects of quality instruction. All of my training, education, and real-world experience bode well for work with the Board of Education to ensure our students and teachers have qualified and meaningful representation, and finding prudent use of taxpayer dollars while moving our schools forward.
3. One of the most encouraging things that I have experienced during this election season is hearing firsthand from Wheeler’s citizens on their positive outlook on our schools. If elected to the Board of Education, my first priority would be to listen and learn before pursuing any major changes. I believe effective leadership starts with understanding the needs of our students, teachers, parents, and community. Rather than coming in with a predetermined agenda, I would take time to evaluate what is working well and where there may be opportunities for improvement. Our school system has many strengths, and I want to build on those while ensuring we are meeting the evolving needs of our students. I would focus on open communication, transparency, and collaboration with educators and staff who are on the front lines every day. I will also prioritize fiscal responsibility and making sure resources are used effectively in the classroom. Ultimately, my goal is to support a positive learning environment where students can succeed, teachers feel supported, and parents feel confident in the direction of our schools.
4. If elected to the Board of Education, I have three primary goals. First, I want to maximize transparency between the Board and our community. I believe our citizens deserve clear, timely communication about the decision that impact our schools. To accomplish this, I will utilize multiple forms of media to ensure information is accessible to everyone, regardless of how they consume news. I will also make it a priority to engage with the community before major decisions are made – especially those that significantly affect school operations or the local tax structure. Second, I want to work alongside the Board and Superintendent to recruit and retain the highest caliber of teachers possible. Strong teachers are the foundation of a successful school system. I will support efforts to evaluate our budget carefully and identify opportunities to use resources more effectively in ways that directly benefit the classroom. Finally, I will leverage the relationships I have build with state leaders and other stakeholders to benefit Wheeler County Schools. By pursuing state and federal grant opportunities, I want to ensure our schools take full advantage of available funding to better prepare our students for success in both education and life.
Julie Bridges
1. I am a wife of 33 years to my husband, Jason Bridges, a proud mother to 10 children and grandmother to 3. I graduated from Wheeler County High School in 1998 and for the past 23 years I have owned and operated Julie Beth Photography. I previously served as clerk to Judge Roy Braswell in the Wheeler County Probate/ Magistrate Court. I was the United States postal service clerk for 3 years for the Glenwood and Alamo Post offices, and worked as a bookkeeper for logging companies for 15 years. I have been involved in our school system for 27 years.
2. I am running for the Board of Education because I care deeply about our children, our teachers, and the future of our community. As a mother of 10 children – 4 graduated and six currently in the WC School system-I have spent over 27 years actively involved in our schools. I understand firsthand the challenges families, students, and educators face, and I want to be a voice that listens, supports, and takes action.
My experience as a small business owner for 23 years, a former court clerk managing financials, and a longtime bookkeeper, along with managing my very large household has given me strong skills in budgeting, organization, and accountability- qualities essential for making responsible decisions on the board.
I have and will always be committed to our community and improving our children’s future. I believe in increasing parental involvement, supporting teachers, and ensuring every child has the opportunity to succeed in a safe and positive environment.
I am not running for recognition – I am running to serve, to advocate for our children, and to help strengthen our schools for future generations.
3. If elected, my focus will be on strengthening communication, increasing parental involvement, supporting our teachers, and ensuring every child has a safe and positive learning environment.
First, I want to improve communication between the school system and families. Parents should feel informed, heard, and included in decisions that affect their children’s education. I will advocate for more transparency and open lines of communication.
Second, I believe parental involvement is key to student success. I would work to create more opportunities for parents to engage with schools in meaningful ways and feel welcomed as partners in their child’s education.
Supporting our teachers is also a priority. Teachers are on the front lines every day, and they deserve respect, resources, and encouragement. I will work to ensure they have the tools they need to succeed in the classroom.
Student safety and well-being are critical. I will support policies that promote a safe, respectful environment where bullying will not be tolerated rather in the school or online and every child feels valued and supported.
Lastly, I want to ensure we are preparing our students for the future-whether that’s college, a career, or skilled trades-by supporting programs that give them real opportunities to succeed after graduation.
My goal is to help build a school system that supports students, empowers teachers, and partners with families.
4. If elected, I will focus on clear, meaningful improvements that directly impact our students, teachers, and families.
5. First, I will prioritize stronger communication and transparency. Parents deserve to know what is happening in their schools and feel heard. I will be accessible, listen to concerns, and advocate for consistent, open communication between the school system and our community.
6. Second, I am committed to increasing parental involvement. As a mother who has been actively involved in the school system for over 27 years, I know firsthand that students succeed when parents are engaged. I will work to create more opportunities for families to be involved and welcomed in our schools.
7. Third, I will stand behind our teachers. They deserve respect, support, and the resources needed to succeed. I will listen to their concerns and advocate for solutions that improve morale and retention.
8. Student safety is non-negotiable. I will support strong policies that address bullying, promote accountability, and ensure every child feels safe and valued at school.
9. Finally, I will work to expand opportunities for students after graduation by supporting career pathways, vocational programs, and college readiness, so every student has a path to success.
10. I will approach each decision with honesty, common sense, and a commitment to putting our children first Justin Kilpatrick
1. I’m a lifelong resident of this community, a former teacher and coach, and a former collegiate athlete at Shorter University. My wife and I are raising our two daughters here, and our family is deeply rooted in this area. After leaving education to spend more time with family, I’ve worked in sales and fundraising, helping schools and teams raise money and build support. I stay involved in local athletics and community events and currently serve as an announcer for the Wheeler County High School football team. My background in education, leadership, and community involvement has shaped who I am today.
2. I’m running because I care deeply about our schools and the direction they’re heading. As a former teacher and coach, I’ve seen firsthand what works, what doesn’t, and where improvements can be made. I’ve been in the classroom, on the field, and in conversations with parents, so I understand the challenges from multiple angles.
I’m not a career politician, I’m a dad with kids who will be impacted by the decisions made at this level. That matters to me. I want to help ensure our schools are focused on strong academics, good leadership, and opportunities for all students.
What qualifies me is my real-world experience in education, leadership, and working with people. I’ve led teams, managed responsibilities, and communicated with families and communities. I know how to listen, make decisions, and follow through. Most importantly, I care about doing what’s right for students, teachers, and our community, not pushing an agenda.
3. First, I want to improve communication between the board, schools, and parents. Too often, people feel out of the loop. Clear, consistent communication builds trust, and that’s something we need.
Second, I believe in supporting teachers and staff. They are the backbone of our schools. Retaining good teachers and making sure they feel valued should be a priority. When teachers are supported, students benefit.
I’d also like to see a continued emphasis on both academics and extracurricular opportunities. Not every student fits into the same box, and we need to make sure we’re giving all students a chance to succeed, whether that’s in the classroom, athletics, or other programs.
Lastly, I believe in accountability. Decisions should be made with transparency and always with students’ best interests in mind. I’m not coming in to overhaul everything, I’m coming in to build on what’s working and improve what isn’t, with a practical, common sense approach.
4. One of my main goals is to strengthen the connection between the school system and the community. I want parents and community members to feel heard and involved. I’ll do that by being accessible, listening, and encouraging open dialogue.
Another goal is to support teacher retention and morale. That starts with listening to teachers and understanding their needs. While not every issue can be fixed overnight, being proactive and supportive goes a long way.
I also want to ensure we are preparing students for life after graduation, whether that’s college, the workforce, or other paths. That means continuing to support strong academic programs while also valuing career and technical education.
A big part of achieving these goals is simply showing up, doing the work, and making decisions based on what’s best for students, not outside pressure or personal gain. I believe in being steady, consistent, and focused.
At the end of the day, my goal is simple: help create a school system our community can be proud of and that gives every student the best chance to succeed.
Marvin Howard
1. I am a graduate of D. F. Douglass High School in Montezuma, Georgia. I earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Middle Grades Education from Albany State University, a Master of Education in Middle Grades Education from the same institution, a Specialist degree in Leadership from Troy State University, and a Doctoral degree in Leadership from Nova Southeastern University.
I have been married to my wife, Susie Howard, for 43 years. We have three children. I am a retired educator with 40 years of service as a teacher, coach, assistant principal, principal, alternative school director, superintendent, and board member.
2. I am seeking this office because of my deep love for children and my commitment to ensuring that every child receives the quality education they deserve. I believe education must take a holistic approach—one that nurtures not only academic success but also the social, emotional, and personal development of each student. In today’s world, our children are competing on a global stage for opportunities, and it is our responsibility to prepare them to meet that challenge with confidence and excellence.
3. I understand that I am one person with one vote, but I am committed to standing up and fighting for what is right for every child. With 40 years of experience in education, I bring a deep understanding of curriculum, budgeting, and sound educational practices. This is the knowledge and dedication I bring to the table.
4. At this time, I have three primary goals: 1.) To be a strong and consistent advocate for our students.
2.) To be an advocate for our teachers and staff members—including bus drivers, lunchroom workers, custodians, and paraprofessionals— because it takes all of us working together to educate our students.
3.) To ensure that we are implementing sound educational practices that best support our students’ success.
Rodney Lee Stokes
Stokes had not submitted a candidate questionnaire at the time of press. Board of Education – District 2 Neither Board of Education District 2 candidate had submitted a candidate questionnaire at the time of press.
Julie Bridges
Justin Kilpatrick
Marvin Howard
