About Me, Earl Gurtner

Earl lives with his wife Donna in Roxboro where they attend Westwood Baptist Church. He has children, grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren. He heads the Eno Senior Golf Association.

Earl owns the Roxboro Country Club and is the golf coach at Roxboro Community School.

Earl Gurtner's campaign for the Person County Board of Education is his first run for public office.

As of August 23, 2024, Earl Gurtner did not have a website or any information online.

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Earl Gurtner

About Me

Earl lives with his wife Donna in Roxboro where they attend Westwood Baptist Church.

As of August 27, 2024, Earl Gurtner did not have a website or any information online.

Facebook

Person County Life

Freda is originally from Cherryville, North Carolina and currently resides in Roxboro.

As of September 4, 2024, Freda S. Tillman did not have a website or any information online.

Freda S. Tillman currently serves as a Board of Education Member in Person County. She was first elected in 2012 and is serving her third term. Freda is the chair of the Board of Education.

As of August 23, 2024, Freda S. Tillman did not have a website or any information online.

Freda S. Tillman

As of August 27, 2024, Freda S. Tillman did not have a website or any information online.

LinkedIn

Person County Life, BOE filing continues

Harriet earned a master's degree in school administration from Western Carolina University.

Harriett works as the director of student support services at Bethel Hill Charter School. Previously, she has worked as the principal of Southern Middle School and a program specialist for Person County Schools. 

Harriett J. Tillett currently serves as a Person County Board of Education member. She was first elected in 2016 and is serving her 2nd term.




As of August 23, 2024, Harriett J. Tillett did not have a website or any information online.

Harriett J. Tillett

Harriett previously worked as a director of student support services at Bethel Hill Charter School and as a principal at Person County Schools.

Harriett J. Tillett currently serves as a Board of Education member in Person County. She was first elected in 2016 and is serving her second term.




Jason attended Piedmont Community College and later pursued a degree in elementary education at East Carolina University. He has 4 kids with his wife, Theresa. 

Jason taught 5th grade at Little River K-8 School in Durham, NC from 2018 to 2022. He was a member of the Person County Education Foundation Board of Directors from 2014 to 2018.

Jason E. Torian is a county board of education member in Person County. He was elected in 2022 and is serving his first term. He has served on the Policy Committee and the Equity Committee.

As of October 14, 2024, Jason E. Torian’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Believes "we have a moral obligation to ensure that all students, regardless of race, gender, or zip code, receive a high quality education in a safe environment."

Introduced proposal to extend public comment period sign-up time to increase participation.

- Believes "we have a moral obligation to ensure that all students, regardless of race, gender, or zip code, receive a high quality education in a safe environment."
- Introduced proposal to extend public comment period sign-up time to increase participation.

Candidate website

Believes educators and parents deserve to feel heard and respected.

- Believes educators and parents deserve to feel heard and respected.

Believes asking clarifying questions during board meetings will increase public participation.

- Believes asking clarifying questions during board meetings will increase public participation.

Jason E. Torian

Jason attended Piedmont Community College and later pursued a degree in elementary education at East Carolina University. He has four kids with his wife, Theresa. 

Jason E. Torian taught 5th grade at Little River K-8 School in Durham, NC from 2018 to 2022. He has served on the Person County Board of Education since 2020 and was a member of the Person County Education Foundation Board of Directors from 2014 to 2018.

Jason E. Torian currently serves on the Person County Board of Education. He was elected in 2022 and is serving his first term. He has served on the Policy Committee and the Equity Committee.

As of October 15, 2024, Jason E. Torian’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Serves on the Person County Schools AIG Advisory Council.

Supports the Helena Elementary School Environmental Club.

Believes in improving school facilities to enhance the learning environment.

Believes in the importance of quality school facilities, having attended Person County Schools.

Believes parental involvement in local schools is important, saying, "I am also the only member of our current school board that is a parent of children enrolled in Person County Schools."

Supports the construction of new school facilities.

Believes in providing high-quality education to all students, regardless of race, gender, or zip code, and supports educators and parents feeling heard and respected.

Believes in ensuring access to quality education for all students.

Believes public education is "severely underfunded" nationwide, with North Carolina ranking 48th in per-pupil spending.

Believes families are directly affected by school board decisions.

Believes in providing "empathetic and pragmatic leadership" for schools to improve access to education.

Believes in hands-on teaching experience, completing a full year of student teaching in a 5th-grade classroom.

Believes in supporting teachers and education policies that enhance their professional environment and public education quality.

Believes in supporting teachers in their local schools to ensure stability and quality education for students.

Believes the pandemic significantly affected teachers and their families.

Believes there are "enormous challenges" in building and maintaining an education system that ensures students have the necessary skills to succeed.

Supports child wellbeing initiatives, including involvement with Southern Middle School Band Boosters.

Supports policies that promote child wellbeing, including school safety, mental health resources, and anti-bullying measures.

Served on the Southern Middle School Site Improvement Team.

Believes the perspectives and identities of decision makers are crucial when allocating limited resources for child wellbeing.

Supports the establishment of additional high schools in Helena, Southern, and Person to enhance child well-being and educational opportunities.

Jermaine went to Person High School and attended Fayetteville Technical Community College. He currently lives with his wife and 5 children.

Jermaine worked at Steven L. Lyons Funeral Home and is currently an administrative assistant for the City of Durham. 

Jermaine Wallace's campaign for county board of education member is his first run for public office.

Said, "I am committed to advocating for additional funding from our commissioners and traveling to Raleigh to fight for our teachers."

- Said, "I am committed to advocating for additional funding from our commissioners and traveling to Raleigh to fight for our teachers."

As of October 14, 2024, Jermaine Wallace did not have a website or any information online.

Plans to fight for workers' rights, fair pay, and safe working conditions.

- Plans to fight for workers' rights, fair pay, and safe working conditions.

Said, "My main priority is to ensure that we meet the standards of our state and local government so that we can not only support our children but also help Person County grow and thrive economically. A strong school system is essential for the future success of our community."

- Said, "My main priority is to ensure that we meet the standards of our state and local government so that we can not only support our children but also help Person County grow and thrive economically. A strong school system is essential for the future success of our community."

Jermaine Wallace

Jermaine Wallace went to Person High School and attended Fayetteville Technical Community College. He currently lives with his wife and five children

Jermaine Wallace worked at Steven L. Lyons Funeral Home and is currently an Administrative Assistant at City of Durham. 

Jermaine Wallace's campaign for County Board of Education is his first entry into politics.


- Said "I am committed to advocating for additional funding from our commissioners and traveling to Raleigh to fight for our teachers."

- Plans to fight for workers' rights, fair pay, and safe working conditions

- Said "My main priority is to ensure that we meet the standards of our state and local government so that we can not only support our children but also help Person County grow and thrive economically. A strong school system is essential for the future success of our community."

Margaret earned her bachelor’s degree and master's degree in educational leadership and administration from East Carolina University.

Margaret formerly worked as the principal at Person High School. 

Margaret D. Bradsher currently serves as a Board of Education Member for Person County. She was first elected in 2008 and is serving her fourth term.


As of August 23, 2024, Margaret D. Bradsher did not have a website or any information online.

Margaret D. Bradsher

Board of Education 

BOE filing continues

As of September 4, 2024, Phillip Merritt Gillis did not have a website or any information online.

Phillip currently serves on the Person County Board of Education. He was first elected in 2016 and is running for his 3rd term. 

As of August 23, 2024, Phillip Merritt Gillis did not have a website or any information online.

Phillip Merritt Gillis

As of August 27, 2024, Phillip Merritt Gillis did not have a website or any information online.

Phillip currently serves on the County Board of Education. He is running for his third term. 

- The Board of Education runs the public school system. They create policies that establish standards, accountability and evaluation of essential operations of the school system.
- The Board of Education member hires a superintendent and can remove them when necessary. The superintendent assists the Board of Education in implementing the board’s policies. 
- The Board of Education is charged with deciding the school budget. This means they decide how to allocate money between different services, such as teacher pay, repairing school facilities, or access to technology.
- Board of Education members are elected every four years. 

Person County Board of Education Member

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Person County Board of Education Member

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