Milton resident Stewart “Buddy” Powell filed paperwork at the Santa Rosa County Supervisor of Elections Office on Friday seeking to become the county’s next school superintendent.
Powell is the first candidate to submit his paperwork for the position currently being held by Tim Wyrosdick. As of this time, Powell is the lone candidate to submit his name in the running for this position in the county’s primary election in August, 2016.
Powell, a longtime Milton native, has worked in the Santa Rosa County School District for 30 years. In his tenure, Powell worked at several Santa Rosa County schools. He served two years as the Milton High School principal and the same position at Hobbs Middle School for six years. After a very brief retirement in 2013, Powell accepted and currently serves in an administrative position with W.S. Neal High School in East Brewton, Ala.
Among many topics Powell would like to see addressed is the morale of the county’s teachers. Powell said he would like to boost that drive by reinstating step raises for teachers. He also wants to provide any assistance possible in regards to the much discussed Common Core Standards.
“The state is putting an enormous amount of pressure (on SRC teachers),” he said. “I want to do something in order to take that pressure off of teachers.”
One point Powell stressed is returning a family atmosphere to the school district, which has been missing due to the county’s growth.
“The school district used to feel like a family and we have lost that feeling,” he said.
Other topics Powell wants to address with the school district is school start times and contract services provided to the district.
After speaking with several friends who currently work in the school district, Powell said he was inspired to seek office of the superintendent.
“It seems like now is the right time,” Powell said. “I really think I can make a positive difference.”
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Powell first to enter electoral race for SRC school superintendant