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VOTE411 Voter Guide

2026 Sumner County School Board District 9

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  • Candidate picture

    Rachel Brown
    (Ind)

  • Candidate picture

    Holly Cruz
    (Dem)

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    Christopher Guiette
    (Rep)

  • Candidate picture

    Kathy Stuart
    (Rep)

Biographical Information

What is the most important issue to you in this race and what is your position?

How will you work with all the stakeholders in the county so we can move forward in the same direction?

How strongly do you support having publicly funded charter schools in Sumner County?

How strongly do you support pay increases for staff and other measures to retain high quality employees?

How strongly do you support teaching diversity and having materials available for a diverse population?

The ability of the 11 School Board Members to work together and communicate as a team is one of the important issues in this race. Members should remain objective and not be swayed by political party or emotions. My decades of experience as a Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) have taught me the value of effective communication and teamwork. When holding a life in my hands under anesthesia, it is essential to assess data/information and make decisions based on facts rather than feelings. Crucial to this process is the necessity to set aside one's ego. The ability to communicate professionally and respectfully will facilitate more effective policy decisions.
I plan to consult with stakeholders to gather their perspectives on the potential positive and negative effects of a particular policy. Open communication and collaboration with all stakeholders will facilitate a more unified approach to moving the Sumner County School System forward.

Listen, collaborate, communicate.
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Strongly support
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Strongly support
Campaign Phone 615-502-0491
I believe one of the most important issues in this race is strengthening communication and accountability across our school district. While it is hard to identify one item as most important, I believe educators, staff, and families deserve clear, consistent, and accessible connections to both district leadership and the School Board. My focus is on creating structured pathways such as such as forming a Director of Schools Advisory Board, Board‑to‑Department Liaisons, regular community town halls, and direct messaging through the Remind app. My hope is that through these initiatives we will improve engagement, elevate staff and parental voices, and ensure the School Board remains active and accountable to the communities we serve.
I will work collaboratively with all stakeholders by creating clear and transparent pathways for communication and engagement, as previously mentioned. This includes maintaining open dialogue with educators and families, partnering with County Commissioners through workshops and collaboration during the budget process, and advocating at the state level to ensure our legislators understand how proposed policies impact our schools. As a Board member, I will speak up for our public-school communities, support legislation that strengthens them, and oppose efforts that are harmful to students and educators. Working together across all levels of government is essential to ensure we are moving forward with shared goals and aligned priorities.
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Strongly support
Strongly oppose
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Support
Strongly support
Strongly oppose
Oppose
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Support
Strongly support
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