Harbaugh seeking school board seat

Harbaugh wants to accomplish several things if elected that he believes would improve the life of students in Hamblen County.

He wants to improve and refine the current anti-bullying statement for Hamblen County Schools.

“The current anti-bullying statement is very vague,” he said. “I want to make clear and strict guidelines for students to ensure their safety.”

Harbaugh wants to support the arts in the schools and provide more funding for the art programs.

“People don’t realize how important the arts are to students and how they improve their learning,” he said. “I want to provide funding to our band and theater programs because they go overlooked at times.”

He wants to improve the communication between the community and the school board.

“The community needs to be able to have open conversations with school board,” he said. “It is very hard to get in contact with the current school board members.”

“The community should be able to call on the school board when they need their help or have questions.”

Harbaugh said he is accountable and if the community ever needs to speak to him he will be available to discuss the school system.

He believes in hiring administration members that have experience in education so students can get the best education.

“Superintendent Bunch, does not have any previous experience in education, no doubt he is a good man, but we need to have staff who have experience in education so the students can get the best quality of learning,” he said.

Harbaugh has several years of managing experience and has confidence that he can carry out the duties of a school board member.

He said that the one thing the community should know about him is that he is loyal and cares about the students of Hamblen County.

“I truly care about the students of Hamblen County and I will do whatever it takes to ensure they are getting the best education,” he said. “I want to be a school board member for the students.”