Jimmy Norfleet recently announced his intention to run for one of two at large Board of Education seats.

"I do believe education is one of the most important things for everyone," Norfleet said. "I believe Rockdale County can be a model for the state in producing a world class quality education."

Norfleet currently serves as the acting president of the Sims Elementary Parent Teacher Association and has been involved with the Rockdale Democratic Party serving on the executive board in 2007 and 2008. In 2008, he was also a deputy registrar for the Board of Elections.

A resident of Rockdale County since 2000, the former army paratrooper said he believes everyone deserves a certain quality of life, which begins with quality education.

"I believe I can bring value to everyone, starting with our kids," he said. "I do care about our children, our education system, especially with some of the things that are going on now. I believe in Rockdale County."

As a father of two school-aged children, Norfleet has a vested interest in the educational success in Rockdale County.

"I want to be a part of the solution," he said. "I want to be as productive as I can be to help every one of our kids."

Now more than ever, Norfleet said, students need to be prepared to keep pace in a global society.

"In Rockdale county, we have a truly multi-cultural, diverse citizenry," he said. "I believe that for us to produce a quality education and to have our kids to go out in the world where we are already in a global economy, one of the things we can do is give much more effort to help our administrators and students learn about each other, to understand our different cultures. I believe starting now will give them an advantage and a base for when they do go on. Whatever direction that they go, they will have an understanding of other people."

Norfleet is originally from Westbury, Connecticut where he joined the army in 1985. He served until 1989 and later re-enlisted from 1993 to 1996. He is currently a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the 82nd Airborne Association. Norfleet and his wife have been together for 15 years.