Clay Webber recently launched his campaign for superintendent of Marshall County Schools, running on a platform of fairness, transparency and fiscal responsibility.
Webber is entering his ninth year as principal at Asbury High School, his 14th year working in administration, and his 19th year in education after earning a master’s degree at the University of West Alabama and a doctorate in educational leadership at the University of Alabama.
“I'm not mad at anybody, [that's not] why I'm running. You know, the current administration has been great to me,” he told 1819 News. “But I don't necessarily agree with everything, which you know, most people, you're not always going to agree with everybody, and that's just part of life. But there are some things in the Marshall County school system that I think I could make better under my leadership.”
Webber said transparency would be the “cornerstone” of his administration. He referenced the recent 1-cent countywide sales tax increase, of which the county school system receives a third, and the many ongoing projects at several school campuses.
“I just feel like that Marshall County taxpayers deserve to be in the know when it comes to public education. I'm glad that the communities are getting these facilities that they need. I know that there's overcrowding at Douglas, and they need more space. There's overcrowding at Asbury. We need more space. There's, you know, the same thing at DAR. Brindlee Mountain needs a gym. All of these needs,” he said. “...I believe that the money should first be allocated to our classrooms that are overcrowded, where students are at on the school campuses. I know some of that is going to take place. But there's also been a lot of construction projects that have already happened, and we still got kids sitting in portables.”
He continued, “I just believe Marshall County taxpayers deserve to know exactly how much money has been raised by the one-cent sales tax. Our citizens deserve to know what projects in the county are being funded by that third cent. Where is that third cent going? And I know there's been some generic statements made about that. But I think when you pass a tax like that, I think people deserve to know more specifically. Sometimes people say, well, that's public information. OK, well, if it is public, let's show our voters."
Webber and the incumbent, Cindy Wigley, are the only contenders for superintendent so far.
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