Courtesy of Pickens Progress – Christie Pool
Wendy Lowe announced her candidacy Tuesday for a seat on the local board of education. Lowe is seeking the seat currently held by Shane Neighbors.
Lowe is the Director of Operations at the Joy House, a Christian school for hurting teens. Lowe, who moved to Pickens County in 1999, said she decided to run for a seat on the school board after reviewing data about how Pickens County stacks up to other counties in the state.
“We need to support our teachers more and give them the leeway to do their jobs,” Lowe said. “We need to have more integrity in our schools and in our leadership at each school. We just need some strong leaders who aren’t afraid to take a stand.”
Lowe is a graduate of Etowah High School and attended Kennesaw State University and Reinhardt. She is married to Joy House Founder Steve Lowe. They have two children, Tucker, who is in first grade at Jasper Elementary, and four-year-old, Isabella.
“I just want to do what’s best for our kids overall, and that means putting political differences aside and making things happen,” she said.
Lowe said she was very discouraged by the lack of communication recently between the school board and the commissioner’s office in regard to the recreation department issue over the use of school-owned gymnasiums.
“Recreation sports keep kids out of trouble, and whether (the board or commissioner) like it or not, our tax dollars pay for both,” she said.
Lowe said she also advocates strict fiscal responsibility.
“I’m a firm believer in not being in debt. We can do things fiscally without cutting programs, and we need to focus on getting leaders in there to make good things happen,” she said. “We need more morality at our schools.”
Look for more information on Wendy and how she will make a difference for Pickens County.
