Candidate for At-large Seat
Lincoln County Board of Education
Tony Jenkins has lived in Lincoln County all but five years of his life. He attended Lincolnton City Schools (1960-1973) beginning at South Aspen Elementary and graduated from Lincolnton High School in 1973. In 1968, being 13 years old, he was able to get a worker’s permit and began working Hardees in Lincoln ton. After graduating he went into management at Hardee’s restaurant (1973- 1978). He changed careers in 1978 and accepted a management position at the Western Steer in Lincolnton and Cherryville. In 1979, he became a volunteer fighter with the Lincolnton Fire Department which led to a full-time firefighter engineer/EMT in 1984 and retired from department in 2012. During his time in the fire services he served as President of the Lincoln County Firefighters’ Burned Children’s Fund and was a Level 3 Fire Safety Educator for the Lincoln County elementary schools.
Tony only retired for 47 days before returning to the fire service as a volunteer and part time firefighter. He worked with several Lincoln County volunteer fire departments and continues today.
Tony has served on the Board of Education for several terms: 2000 – 2008, 2012 – 2016, and 2018 – 2022. During his time on the board from 2000-2008 a building plan was developed. The plan resulted in several new schools and several schools having classrooms and gyms added. The building plan eliminated all the mobile classrooms making a safer learning environment for students. In accomplishing the building plan a good working relationship was established with the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners where in which two bonds were passed to support the building plan.
Why I am running and what I would like to accomplish:
- Continue seeking essential funding from the State, Federal, Local governments to better serve the educational needs of our students and employees.
- Continue to work with our county leaders and business leaders to offer workforce preparations programs to prepare our students for the workforce if they do not wish to continue their education.
- Ensure all college bound students have available courses to support their college preparation.
- Continue to offer the right programs (i.e., JROTC) for those students that want to serve our Country.
- Continue to revise and adjust our capital improvement plan.
- Continue to address the current growth across the county, mostly the east end, and ensure there are adequate facilities for students to learn.
During current term:
- Hired a new Superintendent
- Provided leadership in addressing Covid-19 and assuring the best education possible during the pandemic.
- Worked with County Commissioners to establish a three-year local budget.
In summary, Tony has always enjoyed working with the students, whether it was through the fire safety education or as a Board of Education member. He will continue to represent all students to ensure educational equally for all and to address the needs of all our students and employees.
