Tim Coleman is running for Metro School Board in District 3, which encompasses Madison, Joelton, and Goodlettsville. Tim is currently a sergeant with the Berry Hill police department and has served as a law enforcement officer for 15 years.

Video: Timothy Ray Coleman Interview (14 min)

He's active in the community as a church deacon and a soccer coach. Tim has a wife, Cindy, and a daughter, Tenley, who attends Hume-Fogg High School.

Tim grew up in a military family and spent much of his early childhood in schools around the world. Ultimately, Tim's family settled in Middle Tennessee, where he graduated from Hendersonville High School.

Tim is running against incumbent Mark North on a platform of Accountability, Credibility, and Common Sense. He believes that many of the problems facing public education today can be traced back to the No Child Left Behind Act. "It's an unfunded mandate from the federal government which has been tough on inner-city schools," says Coleman.

Tim believes that a worsening economy is taking a toll on public education as well. "Parents now have to deal with sky-high gas prices, inflation, rising interest rates, and out-of-control health insurance costs," Coleman says.

"That keeps parents working more hours and leaves less time for them to attend parent/teacher meetings and help with their kids’ school work." But not all of the problems our schools face stem from Washington D.C. "Some on the current Board, including Mark North, did not hold Pedro Garcia accountable while MNPS slowly slipped into corrective-action status," he says. "If elected, I’m going to stick to the new Director of Schools like glue and make sure that there’s more follow through and that all of the new Director’s benchmarks are met."

Coleman also plans to take a hands-on role once elected to the new Board and will work closely with parents and community organizations on initiatives like Parent University, rezoning issues, and other pressing needs that face our children.

Early voting for the School Board election begins on July 18 and Election Day is Aug. 7.