Hickory Flat Resident To Run for School Board

A Hickory Flat man is tossing his hat into the ring to challenge incumbent Cherokee County School Board member Michael Geist in the May 20 Republican primary.

John Harmon has announced his intentions to challenge Geist for the District 3 seat in the primary. Harmon in his press release said he looks forward to sharing his "entrepreneurial experience with the board and his goal of focusing on what counts: the children."

Harmon, owner and operator of H and J Foods LLC for the last eight years, noted he will bring his business experience and knowledge to the position. He added he understands not only budget and audit reports, but he also "fully intends to work with the entire Board and Superintendent in achieving common fiduciary goals."

Harmon has served on the Hickory Flat Elementary Foundation Board, an active member of the school's PTA and is a youth baseball and basketball coach.

If elected, Harmon said he plans to support the Cherokee County School District's Cherokee Academies initiative, advocate for the expansion of those academies to the high school level, expanding education opportunities to include vocational courses and improving the district's graduation rate.

Harmon, who added he's an advocate of school choice, said he believes "our local tax dollars should be managed and supervised by the local school district."

Harmon graduated from Pope High School in Marietta and attended Georgia Southern University where he studied business administration.

He and wife Whitney live in Hickory Flat with their children They are members of Watermarke Church.