Doug Bachuss announced his candidacy for Alabama State School Board District 7 on Wednesday.
Bachuss is the current vice president of the Decatur City School Board and is running for an open seat after the current member, Belinda McRae, didn't seek re-election.
Bachuss explained his reasoning for wanting to run for the seat by saying, "My Wife and I have raised our three children in public schools."
"I have seen first-hand what is at stake," he added.
In addition to serving on the Decatur City School Board, Bachuss is a member of the Nowlin, Bachuss & Gray Law firm. He graduated with his Bachelor of Science from the University of Alabama and also graduated from the University of Alabama School of Law.
Bachuss stated, "My wife and I have raised our three children in public schools, with our oldest graduating from Decatur High School and our youngest two children still attending Decatur City Schools, which has introduced us to school systems across the State of Alabama."
"I have seen first hand what is at stake and how important it is now, more than ever, to have someone on the school board that experiences what goes on in the classroom as our children have attended from elementary to high school. We have some very big issues to address in the upcoming school years," he added.
If elected, Bachuss outlined his approach to the position and the issues he intended to work on.
"Whether it's financial literacy, how we continue to address the Covid impact on our schools, school choice, safety, or teacher recruitment, I want to make sure we are prepared for the future while making sure that our teachers have the support and resources to teach our children," he stated.
"In addition, I look forward to listening to parents, teachers, students, and stakeholders to hear what issues are important to them in the years to come," Bachuss said, later adding, "[F]urther, we are blessed to have colleges in our area that offer opportunities for dual enrollment."
Bachuss also mentioned the growing opportunities for Workforce Development programs across the state.
"With great companies making Alabama home, we have a great opportunity to encourage students to seek workforce programs so that they are career ready when they graduate high school if they are not pursuing a four-year degree of higher education," Bachuss stated. "I also want to develop more career tech opportunities and emphasize the offerings of the Career Academies and Centers to our students and businesses and encourage workforce development."
He concluded, "Our students and teachers deserve to have their positive achievements shared, and I will work to highlight these successes to our communities and to our State. We all know that our schools are the heart of our communities, and I want to make sure we have the best schools possible. Our children deserve the best education."
Bachuss is an adoptive father and has coached youth basketball, baseball and softball. His family are active members of The Rock Family Worship Center, and Doug formerly taught Sunday School and Life Groups for several years. He attends and presents to other churches in Decatur and Huntsville, being involved in their adoption and caregiver programs.
Bachuss has two opponents in the Republican primary that is set for March 5, 2024.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email Bradley.cox@1819news.com.
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