The school board consists of a small group of seven people, but they make a big impact for all Marietta students and schools. The board sets goals and a budget for Marietta City Schools. They also represent the community and voice the opinions of students and parents to make sure that everyone has a good quality education. 

Jason Waters is leaving the school board to run for the Marietta City Council Ward 2.  AB Almy and Kerry Minervini are stepping down from Ward 3 and Ward 6.

Ward 2

Laura Holder

Laura Holder is a Marietta native and mother of students at Burruss Elementary.  “My vision is to continue making Marietta special, different, and better. Our district is leading the state in crucial things like literacy and safety, and I want to make sure we collectively continue to move that needle.”

Nicole Tirado

Nicole Tirado is a single mother who loves Marietta.  “My vision is for decisions to be made that include the entire community. We should have a teacher advisory board, 90 percent of the 167 million budget funds teachers’ salaries and benefits. Teachers should have a say in how that money is being spent, and then the other 10 percent affects their day-to-day.”

Ward 3

Jeff Collins

Jeff Collins is a husband and father to two Marietta students.  “This is an opportunity to give back to Marietta.  What makes Marietta so special is the connection between the city and the school system, and the unique partnership between families, teachers, and students.”

Matt Courtoy

Matt Courtoy is the father of two Marietta students. Originally from Tifton, he is a lifelong Blue Devil.  “I may have a lot of great ideas, but those ideas will never get off the ground unless you take the time to understand how best you can help support the team you’re joining.” My job will be to not be a stumbling block for their success, but an enhancement.”

Ward 6

Christina Rogers

Christina Rogers has lived in Marietta for 14 years.  “[My Vision is] to continue pushing for increased community involvement in our public schools. Supporting our students also includes supporting their families. Increasing engagement with parents and family supporters by increasing transparency when it comes to decisions made by the school board.”

Tony Viola

Tony Viola is a father of students in the district and decided to run to give back to Marietta and make a positive impact. “Marietta City Schools has given to my kids and family.” He will achieve this by “running a successful and honest campaign, winning the election, then becoming a great board member.”

Contested Incumbent Candidates

Angela Orange has been on the school board since January 2018.  Jesse Bonner Jr. is the only new candidate challenging an incumbent.

Angela Orange

Angela Orange is a former middle school teacher and has been sworn in to Ward 5 since 2018.  “I decided to run for the school board because I believe education is the foundation of opportunity. When I moved to Marietta, I wanted to give back to the community in a meaningful way. Serving on the Board of Education gave me the chance to combine my classroom experience, professional and personal leadership to help shape policies and programs that make a real difference in students’ lives.”

Jesse Bonner Jr.

Jesse Bonner Jr. has lived in Marietta for 55 years. For more than 36 years, he has been dedicated to educating and mentoring young people in metro Atlanta as a teacher, coach, and leader. Bonner is retired but is still very active in his community. His favorite memories from school are building relationships with his students. 

“[I am] ready to put my experience and commitment to work for all students in the Marietta City Schools District.”

Unopposed candidates

Jailene Hunter

Jaillene Hunter wants to be the voice for Ward 4 to represent everyone. “I chose to run because I believe life is about service, not self. Serving on the school board gives me the opportunity to give back to my community and support all of the students across our 13 Marietta schools.”

Irene Berens

 Irene Berens has been part of the School Board for 25 years. She is running for Ward 7. “[My] vision for Marietta is always the same, for all to be safe and learning in a great environment and to shake hands with all the graduates as they cross the stage with plans for the next stage of a fulfilling life.”

Jeff DeJarnett

Jeff DeJarnett decided to run for the School Board 4 years ago when a friend approached him about running. This year, he wants to focus on literacy. “The ability to read is the foundation for everything else that happens in the classroom. While our staff has made tremendous progress, the work isn’t finished. What began as a focus on early literacy has now expanded to include middle and upper grades as well.”