KANNAPOLIS — Bobby Connor likes to stay involved in the community – that’s why he’s running for one of the two seats available for Cabarrus County candidates on the Kannapolis City Schools Board of Education.

“I’ve always wanted to give back, and I looked at this as an opportunity to do so,” he said

Connor, 66, is a Kannapolis native who holds a bachelor’s degree from Livingstone College. He worked with Cannon Mills as a manager, and transferred to Phillip Morris after 18 years. He worked with Phillip Morris for 22 years as a manager before retiring.

He and wife Helen have two have two grown daughters. Connor said he currently has a grandchild in Kannapolis City Schools.

Connor serves on the board of directors for the Cabarrus Arts Council, as a trustee at Bethel AME Zion Church and volunteers with Meals on Wheels. He was previously a board member with Meals on Wheels, and served as a member of the Kannapolis Disciplinary Action Board and was chairman of the Cabarrus County Social Services board.

Connor said he’s drawn to the Board of Education seat because he wants to ensure that the young people of Kannapolis have a quality education and the best opportunities available.

“I truly believe in education,” he said.

Children are the leaders of the future, Connor said, and Kannapolis City Schools needs to think about how to ensure that they choose to spend their future in Kannapolis. And the city is growing.

“Our city and county’s growing, our population is growing,” he said.

When businesses are scouting an area, they check the school system, Connor said. Kannapolis City Schools needs to be up to par – academically as well as having improved facilities. Something also needs to be done to stem teacher turnover.

Connor said that, if elected, he looks forward to working with the dedicated, knowledgeable members of the Board of Education, and hopes that they can push the system’s goals forward.

Only residents living within the Kannapolis City Schools district may vote for board candidates. Voting for the Kannapolis Board of Education will be on March 15, in conjunction with the North Carolina primary. Newly elected members will be sworn in at the board’s April meeting.