Mayfield aims to help schools, parents achieve together

Davie "David" Mayfield Sr. is challenging incumbent Robin Cato for the Post 5 seat on the Franklin County Board of Education.

Mayfield, who has volunteered at Royston Elementary School and served on the recent football coach search committee, said he is running to help the school system work with parents to accomplish more.

"We all need to come together if we're going to make Franklin County the best it can be," Mayfield said.

A 1984 graduate of Franklin County High School, Mayfield went to Western Carolina University on a football scholarship and received a bachelor's degree in communication.

He later attended Carver Bible College and is working on a master's in divinity degree from Luther Rice Seminary.

Mayfield is one of the ministers at Rucker's Grove Baptist Church in Dewy Rose and a 10-year law enforcement veteran. He has worked in DeKalb County and is currently in the clerical department for the Clarke County Sheriff's Department, where he works in the county jail.

Mayfield has three children and one grandchildren. His daughter, Epiphany, is a fourth grader at Royston Elementary School. Mayfield is married to Denise Lynette Mayfield.

Mayfield said he realized the need for help for parents while helping his daughter with new math techniques. It was a struggle for him and her, he said.

"If we're having so much difficulty as parents ... what about those parents who have not gone to college?" he asked.

Mayfield's approach is Higher Expectation of Accountability and Responsibility (or HEAR).

He said he would like to see after-school programs.

Mayfield said he also wants to focus on preparing students for college ? too many from Franklin County lose HOPE Scholarships after the first year, he said ? and students who are not going to college.

Education is important for the whole community because new industries and businesses look at the school system when making decisions about where to locate or expand, he said.