Sheila Gale running for school board

Sheila Gale formally announced her candidacy for Blytheville School Board District Zone 4.

“As a resident of the Blytheville community all my life, I would deeply appreciate an opportunity to give back in some small way to the community that has given so much to me,” Gale said. “I believe that a strong public school district is essential to the future of not only students but the entire community.”

Gale is a 1991 graduate of Blytheville High School, where she received a quality education that prepared her for college, she said.

She is a graduate of Arkansas Northeastern College, earning a certification in Office Technology and receiving an AAS Degree. Gale has furthered her education at Arkansas State University, where she is working toward a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a minor in Criminology. She has been a Notary Public more than 15 years.

“A large part of my education is due to the fine caliber of teachers and staff at Blytheville,” Gale said. “I would like very much to see the same opportunity is given to each and every student. Actually, with the technology and new innovations that students are introduced to, their quality of education should be expectional.”

Gale works both a full-time job with her current employer of 18 years and a part-time job.

“My places of employment and character have given me the opportunity to come in contact with so many citizens of Blytheville and help many of them with certain needs,” she said. “I want my community to know that I can be trusted with the responsibility that the students come first. I will focus on promoting parental/community involvement in education, school safety and I will be a visionary for children.”

Gale said parental involvement will give the students more educational support and also allow the school board members to be more informed about the wants and needs of the parents of the Blytheville School District.

School Safety will be another focus, she said.

“We all know that our children come first and being safe at school is one of the first priorities,” Gale said. “Upgrading in security needs is a way for our kids to be and feel safer and should to be looked into for our students and staff.”

She added she is a visionary for children, helping mentor a dance team (Pink Diamonds) for about two years.

“I was the Assistant Director who mentored about 25 girls; grades 3rd-8th,” Gale said. “We all established a strong relationship, the girls, and the parents. Not only did the girls perform but we also did volunteer work in the community. We monitored their grades and behavior at the schools. The majority of the kids were on the honor roll. There were some that were average and a few struggled, but whatever they struggled in we helped them to get on the right track until grades came up and their behavior got better.”

“With me and the girls, along with their parents working together, everything came in place,” she continued. “I am married to Jammie Gale and we have three children. Not only am I a native of the area and a graduate of Blytheville High School, but I am also a mother of two BHS graduates and grandparent of upcoming graduates so I am speaking from experience on everything I say. The community deserves a school board that will invite you to the table, represent your interests and meets you with honesty. Our children deserve a standard of education that will allow them to succeed. I am asking you, my friends and neighbors, for a chance to do my part — your choice for change.”

Early voting begins May 7 with the Primary set forMay 22 at Trinity Baptist Church, 918 East Main Street.