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George was born and raised in Marietta. He is a father of two sons, both of whom are in first grade at West Side Elementary School.

Georgia is a professor at Georgia Gwinnett College. He previously worked in a special education classroom at Dunleith Elementary School.

George Darden's campaign for the board of education is his first entry into politics.

George's stance on the school system budget is not available at this time.

School System Budget

George's stance on equity is not available at this time.

Equity

George's stance on college and career readiness is not available at this time.

College & Career Readiness

Marietta Daily

Said, "I support any measures that we need to take that will ensure that in-person learning continues in an environment safe for teachers and students ... On Thursday, the Superintendent offered alarming evidence of increased infections and in-school transmission, and I therefore believe that the Board and the Superintendent made the right decision to temporarily reinstitute a mask mandate."

- Said, "I support any measures that we need to take that will ensure that in-person learning continues in an environment safe for teachers and students ... On Thursday, the Superintendent offered alarming evidence of increased infections and in-school transmission, and I therefore believe that the Board and the Superintendent made the right decision to temporarily reinstitute a mask mandate."

COVID

George Darden

Angie has two children, Ellie and Harry. Ellie is a sophomore at Marietta High School, and Harry is a seventh grader at Marietta Middle School. Angie is on the booster club for the Marietta High School cross country team and was president of the West Side Elementary School Parent Teacher's Association. She and her family attend Marietta First Methodist Church.

Angie Smith's campaign for the board of education is her first entry into politics.

Angie's stance on the school system budget is not available at this time.

Will prioritize making it easier for parents of students with special needs to navigate getting help. She went through the process of establishing an individualized education plan (IEP) for her son, who has special needs.

Said, "the IEP process is not particularly intuitive. I can see how this process can be so daunting to parents who don't have those resources or don't have the flexibility to leave their job in the middle of the school day to meet with a teacher or what have you."

- Will prioritize making it easier for parents of students with special needs to navigate getting help. She went through the process of establishing an individualized education plan (IEP) for her son, who has special needs. 
- Said, "the IEP process is not particularly intuitive. I can see how this process can be so daunting to parents who don't have those resources or don't have the flexibility to leave their job in the middle of the school day to meet with a teacher or what have you."

Angie's stance on college and career readiness is not available at this time.

Said, "[u]nfortunately, without a mandate many if not most students do not wear masks. If a mask mandate helps my children, their teachers and friends remain healthy, safe, and together in school, I am in favor of it."

- Said, "[u]nfortunately, without a mandate many if not most students do not wear masks. If a mask mandate helps my children, their teachers and friends remain healthy, safe, and together in school, I am in favor of it."

Angie Smith

Jaillene and her husband have four sons, all of whom attend Marietta City Schools. She is on the Wellstar Kennestone Hospital Regional Health Board, on Marietta's Mentoring for Leadership Board of Directors, and is currently president of the West Side Elementary Parent Teacher Association. She and her family attend Stonebridge Church.

Comm360

Jaillene was previously Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle's communications director. She also worked as a press secretary and spokesperson on Capitol Hill.

Jaillene Hunter's campaign for the board of education is her first entry into politics.

Jaillene's stance on the school system budget is not available at this time.

Jaillene's stance on equity is not available at this time.

Jaillene's stance on college and career readiness is not available at this time.

She and other parents sent an open letter to the Marietta Board of Education in July 2020 asking them to reject the superintendent's recommendation to have school virtually all school year.

Said, "students need to be in the classroom, full time, with as few obstacles to learning as possible. I believe mask wearing should be a decision left to individual students and their parents, however, should MCS data conclusively show mask wearing in our schools reduces transmission during times of high community spread, then I would let the data drive such a decision in a limited and temporary manner."

- She and other parents sent an open letter to the Marietta Board of Education in July 2020 asking them to reject the superintendent's recommendation to have school virtually all school year.
- Said, "students need to be in the classroom, full time, with as few obstacles to learning as possible. I believe mask wearing should be a decision left to individual students and their parents, however, should MCS data conclusively show mask wearing in our schools reduces transmission during times of high community spread, then I would let the data drive such a decision in a limited and temporary manner."

Jaillene Hunter

- The Board of Education runs the public school system, and it is entirely independent from the rest of the city government. 
- Board of Education members work together to make school policy, set the budget, and appoint the superintendent to run the schools day to day. 
- Some Board of Education members are elected by the entire city, while others represent specific districts. 
- Board of Education members are elected to four-year terms in nonpartisan elections.
