Lori Johnson hoping to continue putting students and faculty first while serving on the Board of Education

HOUSTON COUNTY — Lori Johnson has been in the Houston County community for over 20 years and hopes to continue serving on Post Two of the Houston County Board of Education. She was initially brought here by her work and said the connection to the community has kept her and her family in Houston County ever since. Johnson and her husband, Phillip, have raised three sons, one of whom is serving as a United States Marine stationed in Tokyo, Japan. 

When she’s not serving on the Board, Johnson works as a State Farm agent. Her office is located on 153 Smithville Church Road in Warner Robins. According to her business page, Johnson graduated with a Masters in Education from the University of Georgia. She is also a member of the Warner Robins Civitan Club, an active member of her church and a member of the Warner Robins Chamber of Commerce.  

Johnson said she comes from a family rooted in community service and volunteering, and serving on the Board of Education just seemed like the right thing to do. 

“I guess you can say it’s in my blood,” she said. “I think that my predecessor did a great job when she held the position, but when she decided to step down, I figured that it was my time to step up and put my name in the hat.” 

Johnson was appointed to the Board of Education in Sept. 2015. She was re-elected in May 2016 and has been on the Board ever since. 

It was no surprise she announced her re-election for Post Two; however, Johnson said she’s just getting started. 

“I believe that it takes some time to truly become acclimated to the processes and procedures of the work that the Board does on a regular basis,” she said. “I feel confident in the way things are going and that we have some positive momentum moving forward under the new leadership of Dr. Ricky Rogers.” 

Johnson also shared that she would like to see major projects currently in the works, such as the STEM Academy and Veterans Middle School, see follow-through. 

If reelected, Johnson pointed out her main priorities are to continue keeping students and faculty first. She said it is essential to support their needs while creating an environment in which they can thrive. 

“Addotionally, as our community continues to grow and evolve, we must engage in strategic planning to ensure our facilities and curriculum expand and adapt accordingly,” she said. “By doing so, we can provide high-quality education that meets the changing needs of our students and prepares them for the future.” 

Johnson described her leadership style as a blend of multiple approaches. She described herself as confident, willing to step up and ready to take charge when needed. She said she also values being a team player whenever necessary. 

“I believe this balance is important because a successful Board benefits from members who bring diverse strengths, interests and leadership styles to the table,” she said. “Our School Board has strong and dedicated leadership, and I am committed to continuing that tradition.” 

Johnson believes her track record and reputation help demonstrate how she will help the Board of Education in shaping a positive future. 

“Keeping students and employees at the heart of every decision ensures that we can continue striving for excellence,” she said. “While not every decision will please every stakeholder, doing what’s best for our students and entire school system will always be the guiding principle behind every discussion and choice we make.” 

According to Johnson, her campaign is going quite well so far. She is grateful and honored for the support she received from the community during the campaign and while serving on the Board of Education. 

“If reelected, I promise to continue dedicating myself wholeheartedly to serving our students, families and educators,” she said. “I believe listening carefully, working collaboratively and making thoughtful decisions reflect the values and needs of our community.” 

Johnson shared that they’ve made very important progress here in Houston County and are committed to “building on that foundation” to ensure every student has a high-quality education. 

“Your continued support means everything to me, and I will work tirelessly to be a voice for all of us as we shape the future of our schools,” she said. 

Johnson is running against Courtney Driver in the General Primary election for District 2 of the Houston County Board of Education. The election is on May 19, and early voting begins on April 27.