By Jennifer Middleton, Jimplecute
Jefferson native Mike Williams said he’s ready to help make a difference in his community by serving as one of the newest board members of the Jefferson Independent School District.
“If you cut me open, I bleed maroon,” he said. “I love my town, I love my school and I want to see it keep soaring high. I’m going to do the best of my ability to make sure I live up to the opportunity.”
Williams will be sworn in during the May board meeting, held on the second Tuesday, and will serve in Place 7, currently held by JP Abernathy. Also to be sworn in is Tolesia Smith-Davis, who will take the Place 6 seat currently held by Ned Fratangelo. Both ran unopposed for their respective seats. The JISD Board voted March 9 to cancel the scheduled May 1 election.
The 40-year-old paint and body technician graduated from JHS in 1998. He and his wife Marandi have two children, August, 2, and Ashton, 16. The couple is also expecting a third child in September.
Williams has worked in paint and body his whole life, he said, beginning at Williams Collision in Jefferson, where he worked for 17 years. He’s now been at Ronnie’s Paint and Body in Marshall for five years.
Having a positive impact on their children, and others, is important to the couple, as Marandi works for Child Protective Services. Williams said seeing the lengths she’s had to go to in taking care of children in need has made a strong impact, and that he’s ready to contribute to the JISD School Board in a similar fashion.
“The youth need us,” he said. “They need us to be on one accord and being positive role models. That’s what they need to see.”
JISD sports is also a passion for Williams. He played basketball in high school and his son currently plays on the football team.
“I never miss a game,” he said, adding that having a strong athletic program is one key in continuing to strengthen the connection between the school and the community.
“I think one of the main things that attracts people to Jefferson is we have a good athletic department. You can tell in the department there’s unity,” he said of the many Bulldog teams. “Another good thing about Jefferson, the town as a whole, you see joy, you see how the community comes together, whether it’s sports, whether it’s any kind of program. They support one another. I feel like being on the school board…is a good opportunity to see a foundation that’s stable. That’s the main thing. Knowing that I can contribute to the foundation of this school. It’s all about foundation.”
Williams said he was simply happy to have the opportunity to be a part of the school board and be a member of the group who works to positively influence today’s youth to become the positive and strong leaders of tomorrow.
“We had a lot of good examples to come before me and I’m thankful for the opportunity to be an example to keep the torch going,” he said.