Rev. Paul Smith announces bid for District 5 on Savannah-Chatham school board

Rev. Paul Smith formally announced his candidacy to represent District 5 in the Savannah-Chatham County school board on Monday.

Smith, who serves as a pastor of Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church, said he is running because he wants to build upon the legacy of current District 5 school board member Irene Gadson-Hines.

After serving on the board for 18 years, Gadson-Hines announced that she is retiring and will not seek re-election. Smith said he felt like now is a good time for him to run.

“At this present moment there are no male minority leaders serving on the school board,” he said. “It is my belief that every single boy needs to see a person that looks like them in places of leadership,” he said.

Background

Smith is a 2008 graduate of Beach High School. He received a bachelor’s degree in political science degree from Savannah State University and has a master’s degree of divinity from Morehouse College.

Smith has also served in leadership roles in a local chapter of the NAACP and served as a youth minister.

Platform:

• Will adopt it takes a village proverb, which is a collective approach from the community that will impact the students of Chatham County and the fifth district.
• Wants to the school board to work together in building stronger relationships among students, teachers, parents and the community.
• Focus and improve reading comprehension among students
• Wants to have a universal Pre-K in the district

Opponents

Smith is running against Theresa Watson and Treye Burrison for the seat on the May 24 ballot. Candidates running for all positions will have to qualify by the week of March 7.

“On May 24, I am asking you to remember these simple words: Smith for the fifth, “he said.