Dean Phinazee taking a third shot at BOE District 6 seat

ALBANY — We’ve all heard the old adage ‘the third time is the charm.’ In the case of Dean Phinazee, he hopes it’s true.

Phinazee is making is third attempt at winning the Dougherty County School Board’s District 6 seat which is being vacated by Darrel Ealum, who is running the the state House of Representatives. Phinazee lost previous bids to Michael Windom and Ealum, but is optimistic at his chances for a third effort to win the seat.

“I learned a lot from Darrel during the 2010 election and I have positive feelings about this time,” Phinazee, a retired educator, said. “I’ve walked a lot of miles and knocked on more than 1,300 doors in the district asking people what they want from the Dougherty County School System.”

Phinazee spent 35 years in teaching, the last 23 in the Dougherty County School System. He said he will bring high expectations to the school board.

“Education is my passion and I want all our children to be educated,” he said. “I’m running for this office, in this particular district, for the third time because this is the only job I want. As a teacher, I had high expectations for my students and my own children, and I plan on carrying those same high expectations to the Dougherty County School Board.

As the world grows smaller via technology, Phinazee says it’s time for America and Dougherty County to get competitive.

“We have some good programs in the Dougherty County School System and I want us to enhance those programs,” Phinazee said. “People need to realize that we have to compete globally now or else we will be left behind. It’s time for us to step up to the plate.”

Phinazee realizes that the school system needs the help of involved parents and caregivers to achieve that goal.

“I am deeply concerned that some parents don’t seem concerned about the education of their children or the school system,” Phinazee said. “We are going to have to talk to these parents to convince them of the need to get involved. We need to get back to the basics.”

In addition, Phinazee said while he understands the system’s budget constraints, he would like to look into getting a small raise for DCSS workers who are at the lower end of the pay scale.

“I know it’s a long shot, but I’d like to work on getting raises for our cooks, maintenance people and bus drivers,” he said. “I know that will be difficult because of a tight budget, but those people have not had a raise in more than eight years.”

Phinazee, Princess Milledge and Shirlette Davis-Marcus will square off for the District 6 seat in the Democratic Primary on May 20.

“The bottom line is I care deeply about children and if elected I am looking forward with the board of education and (Superintendent) Dr. Mosley.”