Candidates for Jefferson Co. BOE District 1 discuss their qualifications before Election Day

The seat representing District 1 on the Jefferson County Board of Education will be up for a vote on Tuesday. District 1 includes areas such as Forestdale, Adamsville and Pleasant Grove.

Republican Phillip Brown and Democrat Walter Curry are vying for the seat. In their election, each candidate addressed their goals and Brown answered questions related to a civil case in which he was found liable in 2018.

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Brown had a 22-year career in education before retiring last year. He worked as an automotive technology teacher in Jefferson County Schools for 20 years.

Curry is currently director of operations and technology at Fairfield City Schools. He has worked in education for more than 25 years and has held positions as principal and interim superintendent.

If elected, Brown told ABC 33/40 that one of his goals would be to improve relationships between parents and the school system.

“Everyone wants to point the finger at someone and blame someone. Why are our schools failing? Why do we have problems with children's learning? It's a combination. We have to work together. One of the things I've seen in my career.” “We need to strengthen the relationship between the community and the school because when the kids don't excel, we both suffer,” Brown said.

In 2018, a jury found Brown liable for conspiracy to remove church funds from bank accounts, conspiracy to falsely pose as a trustee of the Sandusky Church of Christ and defamation of the pastor. He was ordered to pay $230,000 to the church.

ABC 33/40 News asked Brown about the case.

“What you see is what we told them at my last race: When you come to church, sometimes the church gets chaotic. When you have people who are interested in themselves, not in the community.” That's what's going to happen. Sometimes the law makes decisions that you don't necessarily agree with. Just because it's legal doesn't mean it's right. “To do it again, I would also challenge the person I did last time,” Brown said. “People know me. Those who have been around me and seen how I work with the school system, who have seen all the young minds, boys and girls who have gone through my program and gone on to achieve great things, they know that my heart is in it am.” We want to build community and a program that empowers people to be better than their parents.

Brown said he did not pay the $230,000.

“That was the first verdict, but me and the other side have reached an agreement and we are in the process of taking care of it,” Brown said.

Brown has run for Jefferson County Circuit Clerk and Public Service Commission in recent years.

“After serving in the school system for a long time, I realized that while national and statewide politics are glamorous, they are perhaps more glamorous than local races. Politics is local. We shape the minds of our future generations in the education system. In my opinion, I… I think we're still missing a lot. We have to get kids to achieve the American dream and believe that it is possible for them to succeed,” Brown said.

Brown feared Jefferson County Schools would falter.

“We are falling behind. The children's grades have also fallen; Since COVID our visitor numbers have decreased. This is the unfortunate direction we are heading. We have to turn things around,” Brown said.

For the 2022-2023 school year, the district earned a score of 81 on its Alabama State Department of Education report card. There were 35,570 students. In 2021-2022, the district scored 81 with 35,632 students. No result was reported for the 2020-2021 and 2019-2020 school years. In 2018-2019, the district scored 81 with 36,360 students.

Brown's opponent, Walter Curry, believed the district had improved in several areas.

“I think Jefferson County Schools is in the best place it’s ever been. You were there with Dr. Gonsoulin has a superintendent, and the school board has really done some great things,” Curry said.

He hoped to support work on vocational training and preparing students for the world of work. Curry believed he could help retain quality teachers.

“Every school district in the country faces the challenge of retaining the highest quality and best teachers. I would like to use my knowledge and skills to support them in developing ideas and plans to take this forward in terms of retention. “Hiring the best teachers,” Curry said.

He explained that his experience in education gives him insight into the work of school board members, as he often works with the school board.

“I have been a principal and superintendent for many years. I take care of the budgets. I'm dealing with three, sometimes five million dollars. I have a lot of experience dealing with the demands that the job would entail.” “I am used to working with staff and understanding teachers and the challenges teachers face. “I understand that it’s our job to make sure kids get an education, whether it’s a career or college,” Curry said.

If elected, Curry could continue to work for Fairfield City Schools. However, he said he is nearing retirement.

“I'm almost retired. I decided what I could do to utilize my skills and knowledge. I decided that I could give back in my neighborhood and ensure that the schools in our neighborhood receive the type of support they need. One of the things I've noticed since I've been there is that the current board member doesn't live near that area. These schools probably haven't received the love that a board member who lives in this neighborhood could give them. Curry said.

He lives in Forestdale.

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The Jefferson County Board of Education District 2 will also participate in the vote.

Candidates in this race include Democrat Sultana Godwin and Republican Robert “Glenn” Durough.