Hardy will seek a sixth term on school board

“I want to continue to serve the children of Grady County in making decisions that insure all students graduate with the tools they need to become productive citizens in our county, state and our nation. I believe that all children can learn, but not all of them learn in the same way. I believe that a good representative must remember that what we do is for the children,” she said.

However, Hardy says she also plans to be an advocate for teachers and all who work in the school system, regardless of their title or rank.

The incumbent board member said she is proud of the fact the school system has been able to do what it does without increasing the tax burden on local citizens.

“When other systems were having to reduce their teaching staff, we were able to maintain our full staff and at various times during my tenure on the board we have been able to give raises to school employees a number of times,” Mrs. Hardy said.

“I believe the community supports what we have done as a board. They recognize that we are fiscally responsible and I believe that is why the voters have consistently supported our school system by passing the Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax,” she said.

Over the course of her service, Hardy says the school system has accomplished much, but some of the accomplishments of which she is most proud include the establishment of the College and Career Academy at Cairo High School, the renovations and new construction at Southside Elementary School, renovation of the Vocational Center at C.H.S., renovations at Whigham Elementary School, and upcoming facilities projects at Northside Elementary School and Shiver Elementary School.

She has been supportive of STEM and STEAM programs in the local schools, an advocate of alternative methods of education through online learning, she spearheaded mandatory study hall for athletes, backed efforts to improve technology in the classroom, and has been a supporter of the system’s special education program.

Most recently, the creation of the Grady County School System Police Department is another point of pride, according to Mrs. Hardy.

“School safety and security are top priorities,” she says.

In addition to her local service, Hardy serves as the Georgia School Board Association Director for District 2, which includes school systems in Grady, Decatur, Seminole, Early, Randolph, Miller, Mitchell, Pelham City, Lee, Clay, Calhoun, Terrell, Quitman, and Baker counties.

The District 4 school board member not only works on the local and state level, but is an advocate for public education on the national level. For the past several years she has traveled to Washington, D.C. to participate in the National School Boards Association Advocacy Institute.

In fact, Hardy and Grady County School Superintendent Dr. Kermit Gilliard have been in the nation’s capital since Saturday attending the N.S.B.A. event. During the last several days they have met with House and Senate leaders to discuss legislative priorities impacting public education.

“I want to continue to serve so that we may continue to improve student achievement, maintain school security and safety, and continue to be good stewards of the taxpayers’ dollars. I stand on my record and humbly seek your vote and support. We have a board of education who respects differences of opinions and comes together to make decisions in the best interest of our children. I would very much like to continue being a part of this team effort, working alongside our outstanding school superintendent,” Mrs. Hardy said.

As of Dec. 31, 2020, Mrs. Hardy will have served 20 years on the Grady County Board of Education.

Hardy retired from the State of Florida in August 2016 as a tax auditor IV with the Florida Department of Revenue and 35 years of service.