BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — Steven Gauze has officially announced his candidacy for reelection to the District 4 seat on the Martin County Board of Education. Gauze, who has served two terms that started Jan. 1, 2017, submitted his candidacy papers Friday at the Martin County Clerk’s Office.
A lifelong resident of Martin County and a dedicated Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner at Lafferty Medical Clinic, Gauze’s professional and personal life has been intertwined with the community he aims to serve. His philosophy that the foundation of a successful community lies in the education of its children has driven his efforts on the board for the past two terms.
“I want to do all I can to make sure they have the tools and the opportunities they need to be successful in the future,” Gauze said.
During Gauze’s tenure, the Board of Education has seen an increase in student certifications through the ATC, a rise in college attendance among high school graduates, and a growing number of scholarship opportunities from colleges aimed at Martin County students and athletes.
“We see what Martin County students can accomplish,” commented Gauze. “My hope is that someday these kids will return home and give back to the community that gave them a chance at success.”
Gauze enjoys the collaborative spirit of the current board and their unified focus on student welfare.
“The best part of this board is we may not see eye to eye on every issue, but at the end of the day, it’s always about what’s best for the kids,” he said.
Acknowledging that challenges lie ahead, Gauze said, “Our work isn’t finished. We still have large obstacles to overcome in the future. Like most school districts, we are trying to overcome a huge gap in education due to COVID-19. Also, we’re finding ways to ensure our teachers have all the resources they need to be successful with a shrinking enrollment and budget is always a challenge.”
He reflected on his journey on the school board and expressed his optimism about the future of education in Martin County.
“I’m proud of what we have accomplished during my last two terms,” said Gauze. “Even though we have some big challenges in the future, I look forward to working with other board members and Superintendent [Larry] James to find solutions to improving our school district.”