Sara Jones Focuses on Families, Educators in Warren County School Board Run for Happy Creek District

Sara Jones, a third-generation resident of Warren County and a graduate of Warren County Public Schools (WCPS), is officially running for the Warren County School Board, representing the Happy Creek District. With two sons currently enrolled in WCPS, Jones said she’s stepping into the race because of a deep-rooted connection to the community and a growing concern over the direction of the local school system.

“I am very passionate about this community,” Jones said in a recent interview. “I was born and raised here. I’m third-generation Warren County raised, and I love this community.”

Jones has seen firsthand what she describes as a decline in the quality and consistency of school programs and staff support. “The way things have been turning is more for the negative than the positive,” she said. “I want to be a part of bringing this county back in a positive way.”

Informed by personal experiences as both a parent and community volunteer, Jones said her campaign centers on listening to families, improving communication, retaining qualified teachers, and strengthening educational opportunities across the district. “Our students and teachers deserve a strong voice to advocate for their needs,” she said.

As a parent, Jones knows how confusing school communication can be. “I’ve had my own experiences with the lack of communication,” she said. “If we can increase our communication between families and the school system, we can make teachers’ lives even better and restore faith in our parents and our community.”

Jones proposes a county-wide newsletter to share updates, explain policy changes, and better inform families. “Sitting there reading board docs is not what parents want to do,” she said. “If we could shine a light on some of these policies… that could go a long way.”

Her academic background is in human resources, and Jones said she hopes to apply that knowledge to help the district understand why teachers are leaving WCPS. “I hope to be able to bring with me to the board skills that will help us create a program with our new HR director,” she said. “Of course, they deserve equitable pay for what they do. But I’ve seen those same studies — it’s more than just the paycheck that keeps people in their job.”

Jones added that smaller class settings and increased support staff can make a major difference. “When they’re able to work in those small groups and build those relationships, that’s the best way to support our students,” she said, emphasizing the role student support coaches play in building trust and motivation among students.

She also believes investing in trade programs is key to preparing students for life beyond graduation. “My husband got his start in the electrical trades program at the high school. I know firsthand how important those trade classes are,” she said. “If we can get more kids into those programs, we can get more kids to come to school.”

Jones expressed concern over truancy and its effect on student outcomes. “There’s always some kind of situation as to why a child isn’t coming to school regularly, and each of those needs to be handled case by case,” she said. “Are we meeting that child’s needs in the best way? Do they need something different?”

While her campaign includes clear ideas, Jones emphasized she wants to learn alongside school leaders and community members, not dictate from the top down. “The school board is there to create policies to help the schools run efficiently,” she said.

Jones said she supports the new district leadership and wants to see that trust passed along to the community. “I fully trust that they can and will do their job effectively and solve any problem that a parent or student may have.”

Looking ahead, Jones said she understands the district’s financial challenges and wants to see every dollar serve students directly. “We certainly don’t have an unlimited budget,” she said. “It’s just about working with our superintendent and our director of finance to make sure we know where every dollar is going and that every dollar is being used to its greatest ability for student achievement.”

Her campaign has been endorsed by both the Save Samuels PAC and Preserve Warren County PAC — two groups actively involved in education issues in the community. “That support has been amazing,” Jones said. “They’re really fighting for what our community wants and needs.”

Jones acknowledged the tension caused by recent debates over the Samuels Library, which she says left lasting divisions in the county. “I want to bridge the community divide,” she said. “We need to bring this community back together to support education in Warren County and to celebrate what a wonderful place this is to live and raise a family.”

Despite the unpaid nature of the role, Jones said she’s fully committed. “You don’t do it for the money. You do it for the love of the system and the love of the students,” she said. “I want parents to have faith that we’ve got great educators and that their child is leaving our school system with a solid, high-quality education.”

With the election set for November 4 and early voting beginning in the fall, Jones said she welcomes direct engagement from voters. “I will make sure that I am listening to our community members and our parents,” she said. “That is how I will make my decisions — by communicating with the people.”

Find out more about Sara Jones on her website.

Sara Jones Announces Run for Warren County School Board in Happy Creek District