Jim Martin, a chemistry professor, will be on the ballot October 11 when Wake County elects its school board this fall.

Anne McLaurin, the current district chair, gave her statement June 8 on candidacy for the Wake County School Board, saying she will not run for re-election, leaving the position open.

While this would be a significant transition for Martin should he be elected, he said his experience at the University level seriously impacted his decision to run.

“There’s no one reason,” Martin said, regarding his choice to run. “I’ve been very interested and passionate about education. Working as a professor here at N.C. State, I see the impact of students coming out of the public school systems and recognize that if we want a strong university you need a strong K-12.”

Martin said he has been working with the school systems as a volunteer for many years and has tried to be an advocate for effective administration.

“At some level you can sit back and be a commentator or you can step up and try to provide leadership,” Martin said, ”and I’ve decided that now’s the time to try to make a difference.”

He said he would like to have three main impacts on the Wake County school system: good governance, fiscal leadership and high-quality education.

Martin, a strong advocate for teachers, said experienced educators are needed to make policy.

“You need to know something about education to enforce it,” Martin said. “I know what it costs to have a quality education and what it brings to the entire community, not just to the students.”

According to Martin, even if he is elected he plans to continue to teach at the University since his scheduling would allow it.

However, Martin said this will change a lot of his activities within the University, with a shift toward a focus on the K-12 school systems.

“N.C. State is in District 5, so not only am I a professor, but I will also represent the district where N.C. State is,” Martin said.

Philip Brown, director of undergraduate studies in the chemistry department, said he has known Martin for 10 years and supports his decision to campaign.  

According to Brown, Martin held leadership positions at N.C. State and has a history of strong commitment to North Carolina Public Schools.

“He is a pragmatic individual who should be able to effectively find solutions to educational problems even though North Carolina and Wake County are facing significant budget issues,” Brown said. “He’s very knowledgeable about what is needed for students to be successful and competitive.”