Candidates for Houston County District 3 school board seat tout experience

The race for the District 3 seat on the Houston County school board features two candidates familiar to the school system: Dave Crockett and Robbin Jackson.

Crockett is the incumbent, having been in the post since August, when he was appointed to fill the unexpired portion of Skip Dawkins' term after Dawkins moved to West Virginia. Crockett, 68, said that stint, albeit brief, has been helpful to him heading into the election.

"One thing, I already know how the board operates," he said.

Crockett's experience with Houston County schools extends beyond his eight months of board service, though. He was the football coach and athletic director at Perry High School, and he also taught in the classroom. Later, he served as an administrator at both Hilltop Elementary School and Bonaire Middle School after he retired at the end of a 30-year career.

That variety of roles has been an asset during his time on the board, Crockett said.

"I've just been able to give some insight into some of the discussion the board has," he said. "I've kind of been there and done that."

If elected, Crockett said he hopes to extend the board's focus on providing quality resources, technology and facilities to the teachers and students of Houston County.

"The main thing would be to continue working toward being the best district in the state," he said.

Jackson, 62, has been involved with the school system for 41 years, most recently as a substitute teacher.

A Fort Valley State graduate, he said he's tried to get a job as a full-time teacher, and he's run unsuccessfully for a board seat in the past.

"I've been in the educational field practically all of my life," he said.

If elected, Jackson said his primary focus would be on early education, teaching reading and writing to younger children, and ensuring success there. That would come before any other concerns or "playing politics" as a board member, he said.

"The main thing I consider would be teaching the basics," he said. "The rest of the schooling will just be kind of fundamental."

He said that during his time in the district, even as a long-term substitute in Perry schools, he has seen that the district isn't as focused on that early core as officials claim it is.

"The school system says they're already doing it, but I know they aren't," he said.

The nonpartisan District 3 race will be on the May 24 ballot.

To contact writer Jeremy Timmerman, call 744-4331 or find him on Twitter

Name: Dave Crockett

Age: 68

Occupation: Retired educator

Political experience: Incumbent; appointed in 2015 (ran unopposed in March)

Name: Robbin Jackson

Age: 62

Occupation: Educator

Political experience: None

This story was originally published April 12, 2016 at 5:51 PM with the headline "Candidates for Houston County District 3 school board seat tout experience ."