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Contributed commentary by Clarksville-Montgomery County School School Board member Jimmie Garland on the results of the Montgomery County Primary election:
On Tuesday evening, May 5, residents of Clarksville-Montgomery County School System School Board District 5 spoke with clarity their position for change. As your current School Board representative, I respect your decision and wish to express with humility my appreciation for you allowing me to serve as the local voice for children residing in District 5 for more than a quarter of a century.
Residents of District 5, I have no regrets in being replaced. Many times, while seated on the dais, I have stated, “If people do not want me to vote in the interest of the child, vote me out.” Your decision was clear, and I accept.
I also wish to thank Ms. Jacqueline Burton for running an excellent campaign. A campaign that was ran with integrity and resolve, focusing on her emerging victorious. As the Democratic candidate for the 2026 CMCSS District 5 School Board, I wish her the best as her campaign continues through Aug. 6. I pledge to support her and her team, when possible, to ensure she become our next District 5 School Board representative for the parents, guardians, teachers, staff and children of our district.
My plea to residents of School Board District 5 is to do likewise. If you want change, you must be actively involved in the process. You can show your support by voting overwhelmingly for our next District 5 representative, Ms. Jackie Burton, on Aug. 6.
| PREVIOUSLY: Election results: Denny wins Commission seat, Burton unseats Garland
Politics is not a job, it’s a calling. As a School Board member, it is our call to do what is best for public education. What is best for public education is to ensure that tax dollars gleaned from members of our working community are allocated to public education to meet this task.
Under the Tennessee Constitution, the primary authority for public education is found in Article XI, Section 12. This section establishes that the state recognizes the “inherent value of education” and mandates that the General Assembly maintain a “system of free public schools.” To me this means that our focus has to be on funding support for public education and ensuring quality education that is equally accessible to all children, not public charter schools.
Lastly, it has been a pleasure to serve publicly. My job is not done; it has only just begun anew.
Jimmie Garland