I'm a lifelong resident of Atlanta, a proud graduate of Atlanta Public Schools (Southwest High), a Boston College (Computer Science) graduate and your candidate for Atlanta Board of Education - District 5. Dear Friends, Supporters and APS District 5 students, parents, staff and stakeholders:
I have filed the declaration of intention to accept campaign contributions to be the Atlanta Board of Educ
ation District 5 representative, and I will submit the necessary forms to qualify to have my name placed on the ballot as the filing dates approach. More than ever, achieving economic success requires a well-educated population. Our schools are the foundation on which Atlanta's future is built and in order to ensure a strong foundation we must have strong leaders on our school board. As a lifelong resident of West Atlanta, I am a product of the Atlanta Public Schools system, which I hope to be able to represent as one of your board members. A native Atlantan, raised in historic SW Atlanta, I attended Atlanta Public Schools M. Jones Elementary, Beecher Hills Elementary, graduated from Southwest Atlanta High, and graduated from Boston College with a Bachelor of Science degree from the Carroll School of Management (Major: Computer Science). I have more than 3 decades in the software development field with the past 20+ years as a Project Manager responsible for successfully managing IT projects. I know how vital it is to exercise good judgment and fiscal responsibility on a daily basis. Likewise, it is important that the Atlanta Public Schools district be operated as efficiently as possible so that every student in every classroom at every school has the opportunities to learn in a safe environment of excellence. With more than 2 decades of service, I am a member of APS Community Education Group EMC² - Embracing Mays Community and Cluster Member, Atlanta Municipal Courts - Restorative Justice Board Member, The Fulton County My Brother’s Keeper Taskforce Board Member, Fulton County District Attorney's Office Anti-Gang Youth Violence Task Force Member, and APD Zone 4 Citizen Advisory Board Member. My volunteer work includes United Way of Greater Atlanta, National Urban League (Atlanta Chapter), NAACP, Boys and Girls Club, Atlanta Habitat for Humanity and Hosea Feed the Hungry. I have served on APS School Turnaround Strategy Advisory Committee Member representing the Mays Cluster, APS Continental Colony Elementary School - Local School Council Board member, and the Atlanta City Council's Commission honoring Isabel Gates Webster (Isabel Gates Webster Park). In the past 36 months, I have toured every school in APS District 5 and have talked and listened to young people, educators, parents and community stakeholders in all walks of life. After listening to youth, educators, parents and community stakeholders, I say, If you want APS to produce a better output, give APS a better input at kindergarten. We must provide te teachers, who are entrusted daily with their care, the tool they need to do their job. That's why I pledge to focus on:
• Addressing the "Digital Divide" by help making Wi-Fi a public utility and bringing FREE Internet access to all Atlanta school children!
• Addressing the achievement gap by partnering to create Early Childhood (0-3yo) Learning centers in West Atlanta!
• Reducing classroom sizes to promote better learning!
• Enhancing employment opportunities for students with a vocational education! It's this type of forward thinking leadership that best serves our students. It is with these ideals that I begin our campaign, but I need your financial, in-kind contributions and prayers. There is no contribution too small. Support our campaign by donating at the level of your choosing at https://www.RaynardJohnson.com, then click Donations to Raynard For APS5. Or you can send a check or money order payable to:
Raynard Johnson for Atlanta
881 Cedar Canyon Square, SE
Marietta, GA 30067
Your investment in our campaign will be vital and most appreciated. We can never thank you enough. Thank you so much for your generous support. Yours for APS,