Barnette considers herself 'asset for the NISD Board'

Mary Meaux
The Port Arthur News

NEDERLAND April 28, 2008 02:09 pm

— Michelle Stoneham Barnette feels she has three great assets for the Nederland ISD Board of Trustees — she’s a mother, educator and business owner.
Barnette, 39, is a certified teacher, owner of The Clubhouse Afterschool Center and the mother of three children.
“We need strong schools with strong curriculum and strong financial decision making,” she said. “Having a curriculum of reading, writing and math is one of the top concerns the school board needs to address.”
A former Port Neches-Groves ISD teacher, Barnette was nonplused after PN-G voters passed an $80 million bond. The educator waited anxiously for that summer to pass to see the upgrade to her classroom. But when school resumed her room received not much more than a coat of paint, she said.
Barnette wants to make sure if, when NISD passes its next bond, the funds will go as directed.
“I have questions about the last bond issue,” she said. “Where has that money gone, there were projects that money was earmarked for that have not taken place.”
A lifelong resident of the Mid-County area, Barnette is a graduate of Port Neches-Groves High School. She holds a bachelor of science degree in education with a specialization in math and has worked toward a master’s degree in education supervision. She has been a certified teacher for 19 years and has worked in both the Port HNeches-Groves and Port Arthur ISDs.
She is a licensed child care director since 1999 and a member of the Mid-County Association of Child Care Administrators. She is also a member of the Nederland and Port Arthur chambers of commerce.
She is married to Barry Barnette, a local contractor, and they have three children and one grandchild.
Barnette is vying for one of two seats on NISD. Other candidates include incumbents Craig Belaire and Richard Cox. Early voting begins April 28 with a May 10 election date.

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