Published: June 30, 2008 11:16 am            

Murray Board of Education District 1: James Ash

James Ash says he’d like to see the Murray County school system cut its budget.

Ash, who is running for the Board of Education District 1 seat, says it is difficult for someone making minimum wage to pay school property taxes. But Ash, 60, says he isn’t sure how much the school system’s budget can or should be cut.

“I don’t know how much until I get in there,” he said.

The Murray County native faces incumbent Julius Weyman and Rickey Mallett in the July15 Democratic primary. No Republican qualified.

Ash says he also isn’t sure what programs he would cut.

“I don’t know what I’ve got to do until I get into office,” he said.

Ash, who never went to high school, says the school system should try to keep kids in school.

“I don’t want to see dropouts,” he said.

He noted that under Georgia law students under 18 who drop out of school could lose their driver’s license

“I’m going to work with the county, the sheriff’s office, the school system to make sure that kids don’t get involved in things they aren’t supposed to be in,” he said.

Ash, who says he is retired, says he supports building a second high school.

“Our schools are getting overfilled. We need more room for school students. That’s a good idea. I go along with building a high school. Our children need their education,” he said.

Ash says he doesn’t know if the school board meets too often.

“I’ve got to see when I get into office,” he said.

Ash gives good marks to superintendent Vicki Reed.

“I think she’s doing a great job. She helps people. She is a good person. We’ve got a school superintendent who is trying to do her job,” he said.

School board members make $50 per meeting. The school system’s current annual operating budget is approximately $58 million and it has more than 1,200 employees.

(Editor's note: Incumbent school board member Julius Weyman refused to be interviewed.)

        

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