I am a Republican who is voting for Katie Perkins for school board.

I have known Katie and her family for many years. Our sons play baseball at Camp Jordan together. Her husband is the assistant coach. Katie and her family are outstanding people in our community. She is patient and kind and I look up to her as a parent. Her mother who attends all baseball games as well is a retired teacher and has taught Katie how to be attentive and listen to the needs of teachers. She has listened to the needs of teachers and coaches her entire life and has now become one. 

I have been an East Ridge resident ever since I have been a mom. Katie has grown up here and she knows the issues that parents are facing. We are overwhelmed. Living with school-aged children through a pandemic was a trying time. Katie understands because she is a parent and a qualified professional. 

I spoke with my neighbor recently about how he plans to vote. His comment was this, “I will not vote for a Democrat because I don’t like what they’ve done to Medicare.” The partisan race has made it easier for voters to be lazy and my children will be the ones who suffer because of this. This saddens me because I know that Katie Perkins is the most qualified candidate and this decision will hurt my family.

This is a local race that involves my kids. My kids go to a public school that is not Republican. It is not Democrat. It is just another public school. The teachers are asked not to show their political affiliation. Why does our school board need to? I am afraid that because it is a partisan race there will be more people like my neighbor who votes for the party without researching the person. My neighbor’s issue with partisan politics has nothing to do with our schools and my family is who will hurt.

Please vote for Katie even if some Democrat somewhere made a choice that you do not agree with. She is kind and fair and our schools need people like her on the school board. She is professional and knows the needs of parents and teachers.

When I drive down Katie’s street, every one of her neighbors has her yard sign in their yards. I’m sure this includes Republicans, Democrats and Independents and probably some people who aren’t even registered to vote.

To know Katie is to love Katie. I ask that on August 4 you do your research and vote for the candidate who is best suited to represent our community, for the sake of my family and yours.

_ Brittany, East Ridge resident and parent of Spring Creek Elementary school student