Meet the candidate: A.J. Johnson, OISD TrusteePlace 7

A.J. Johnson, owner of A.J.’s Tree and Lawn Service, is running for Place 7 on the Olney Independent School District Board of Trustees in the May 6 municipal election. Mr. Johnson moved to Olney three years ago with his wife, Cassie Johnson, and their three children, ages 10, 8, and 4. The Johnson children attend Olney public schools and Mrs. Johnson is an AP psychology and arts professor at Olney High School. Mr. Johnson is running for the seat held by Craig Mahler.

The Enterprise interviewed Mr. Johnson about his candidacy and positions. Stay tuned for more candidate interviews in the lead-up to the election.

Q: Why did you want to run for school board?

A: I was wanting to run just to give back to the community. I have done a lot of community work. I was in the military for nine years. I was a correctional officer for a little bit. I talked to a lot of teachers. I know a lot of stuff that goes on. There are a lot of concerns that we are one of the only schools in the area that is not going to a four-day week. I talk to a lot of high school kids because my wife directs the One Act Play. They say they wish we could have colored hair or change some of the dress code policies.

Q: What different perspective would you bring to the school board?

I lived in Virginia until I was a sophomore in high school and then I lived in Connecticut until I joined the military. I talk to a lot of kids about the military and about entrepreneurship. I bring a different perspective as a business owner and I’ve traveled to over 20 countries in the military and as a security contractor for Triple Canopy.

Q: What are your priorities for OISD? A: One of the things is to incentivize the teachers and staff [to stay at OISD]. This is our third year here, and we have a lot of teachers here who are leaving. It seems like retaining our teachers and we are losing all of our coaches but two. We have problems retaining teachers but we’re not doing enough about it. My plans are to incentive retaining teachers by going to a four-day week, and loosen up the dress codes, and make school more fun. Olney High School is a great school with a great rating, and going to four-day weeks will put us in competition with Graham, Archer City, and Wichita Falls school districts … and 100 other school districts in Texas that have four-day school weeks.