SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION: Taylor wants to get everyone involved for JMCSS

Brandilynn Taylor is from Middle Tennessee and grew up in a rural area where not many people had any money.

“We were poor growing up, and we had one way out of there, and that was education,” Taylor told a group of supporters at an event on June 11 at the home of Joanne Tomlin. “So I know first-hand the importance of a quality public education system, and I want to do my part to ensure the children of Jackson and Madison County that they have that same opportunity.”

Taylor is one of five candidates for Jackson-Madison County School Board representing District 6. She’s the Republican nominee in the general election.

“Our district is doing some great things,” Taylor said. “The dual enrollment program that’s in place is helping a lot of students.

“I had the opportunity for a similar program when I was in school and was close to having completed my associate’s degree before I started college, and that enabled me to finish college in four years with a double major. So I know every student that gets that head start is receiving a great help.”

But Taylor acknowledges there are things that could improve, and the main thing she sees is communication.

“And that’s on different levels,” Taylor said. “Communication with the students and parents leaves them confused, and the same with the faculty and staff and between the district leadership and the board and the schools’ administration teams.

“If there can be clearer communication at all levels, I think that will improve the relations from each group of people and improve the overall workings of the district.”

Taylor works with students in the district, and she says that they are coming away from class confused about their expectations in the classroom.

When speaking with voters, Taylor has a message of empowering them within the district.

“Everyone thinks that the Board controls everything, and I guess in a way there’s truth to that thought,” Taylor said. “But really, the control is with the people.

“My hope if I’m elected is to see every Board meeting and every work session with a packed crowd of people letting us know what they want and what they don’t want. Because that’s the only way for the people to have their voice heard. Show up and let the Board know.”

The Board is a diverse group with at least one change in personnel with an incumbent having lost in the primary in March. Working with that diverse group, Taylor says, will be about clear communication between each other, with the superintendent and with the public.

"I think everyone involved with Jackson-Madison County Schools want the district and every student to thrive and do as well as they possibly can," Taylor said. "We just differ on how we think we need to get to the point we all want to get to.

“But if we can have open and honest dialogue in civil conversation with the goal of getting to a place that works for everybody, then that will be a position from which the district can begin to move forward in the right direction. It takes everyone including everyone in the community to make that happen.”

Brandon Shields, brandon@jacksonpost.news