Jackson School Board: Brad Noel

Name: Brad Noel

Age: 42

Place of birth: Springfield, MO

Spouse, children's names: Jill Gentry-Noel

Lindsey Noel

Jason Noel

Occupation: Water Plant Lab Technician

Employer: City of Jackson

Businesses owned, all or part: None

Previous offices held or sought: Jackson R-2 School Board

__What is the most important issue facing the Jackson Public Schools and what can be done about it?__

Jackson Public Schools are facing an ever-changing world of education and with that comes textbooks and technology improvements. Our Middle School does not currently have enough computers to efficiently administer the end of year tests for the 700+ students. In many district classes there are not enough textbooks for each student to bring one home to study from. We must figure out how to most efficiently provide our students the material needed to succeed.

__What in your background or education makes you qualified for this office?__

My qualification for this office is the fact that I am a concerned parent wishing to take an active role in the education of the children. Beyond that I genuinely care for the teachers and staff of the district and hope to work with them to ensure that Jackson continues to be a district they can proudly say they work for while working together for the betterment of our children, teachers, staff, and community.

__Where do you stand on the issue of Common Core standards?__

I do not support the Common Core State Standards Initiative. It removes the two most important factors in the education equation, the teachers and the parents, along with the standards themselves being developmentally inappropriate at times. Furthermore it is an unfunded mandate and a Federal intrusion into the education system that is best left to the states and local communities. It also seeks to unfairly judge the effectiveness of our teachers based on one test.

__Do you think the Jackson School District is a good place for teachers to work? Why or why not?__

Jackson is fortunate to have parents who take an active role in and genuinely care about the education of their children, making the district a good place to work. When a teacher knows that he/she has the support of the parents they have the confidence to try new things that may help students learn in a more effective manner. Jackson teachers need more support from the Board and that is something I hope to provide.