Dear editor,

I am writing on behalf of a friend and co-board member of THINC College & Career Academy. I am thrilled John Asbell has stepped forward to run for the Troup County school board District 5!

John and I were part of the 100-plus person steering committee for THINC College & Career Academy. During this process John stepped forward to lead the community employer survey and validate the need for the academy and identify the specific job skills needed by our business community.

When the charter was approved and signed, John was elected chair of the first THINC college and career board. As chair, during the development phase, John was focused on the culture of THINC, the development of the leadership program or soft skills, and listening to the stakeholders and finding a way when things got difficult. True leadership is stepping forward when you see a need and listening to everyone at the table and finding a way.

I just attended the candidate forum at West Georgia Technical College and was impressed with both candidates running for our school board. I think our community should be proud of the people stepping forward to lead our school system.

John’s leadership and focus on the what is key in this election. What do we want our school system to be, what do we want to achieve and what do we want the outcomes to be? Not the how.

We have so many talented administrators and teachers that excel at the how. It’s having the clear what defined and providing the support when it gets tough and finding a way.

I believe John’s success of working with the school system, school system board and business community in the development and opening of THINC, his passion for connecting school with the business community, his focus on culture, leadership development and asking students, teachers, administrators and the business community how we’re doing and what can we do better are what’s needed at this time on our school board as we look for a redefining moment in the Troup County School System.

He did it at THINC by engaging people’s minds and hearts and found a way.

I hope you will join me in supporting John Asbell for Troup County school board District 5.

Thank you,

Robby Burch

LaGrange