Schools

Ex-Roswell, Centennial Teacher Runs for State School Superintendent

Kira Willis, who ran as a Libertarian in 2010, is entered in the GOP field for 2014.

Former Roswell High and Centennial High School teacher Kira Willis is making another run for Georgia school superintendent. 

Willis, who ran as a Libertarian for the same office in 2010, last week announced her candidacy in her home town of Roswell, this time as a Republican. 

“We believe that Georgia can do better and that Georgia's children deserve better than what they have now," Willis said in a statement. "I believe that our parents and children must have a choice when it comes to their education, and I can ensure that they will get that choice.” 

She said she will run on a similar platform as her previous candidacy, including the need for greater educational choice, and promised to redirect Georgia’s educational spending into the classroom, particularly with regard to teacher salaries.

“Since 1996, we’ve increased educational spending in Georgia every year but three,” said Willis, “but ask any teacher: They’re not seeing it in their classrooms, and they’re sure not seeing it in their paychecks. We haven’t kept pace with student growth, and we’re in the bottom third of per-pupil spending compared to other states.” 

Of her party switch, Willis said that she was conservative then, "and I’m even more convinced that conservative values of increasing school choice and prioritizing spending are the keys to improving Georgia’s education system and making sure every child in Georgia can get a decent education."

(Here's what she told the AJC about the issues when she ran in 2010.)

The GOP nomination is up for grabs since current superintendent John Barge is running for governor.

Willis has more than 18 years of classroom teaching experience. In addition to Roswell and Centennial, she also taught at Woodland Middle School in south Fulton and has been a Graduation Coach and Response to Intervention (RTI) Coordinator at North Springs Charter High School for the last two years.

She is certified as an educational specialist in curriculum and instruction and holds a Masters in education leadership from Kennesaw State University. 

Kira is married to Todd Willis, an assistant principal at Elkins Pointe Middle School in north Fulton. They attend North Point Community Church in Alpharetta and make their home in Roswell with daughter Harper, age 6, son Tanner, age 4, and dog Jerry, age 11.

More information is available at www.KiraWillis.com


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