By Sarah Campbell
scampbell@salisburypost.com
SALISBURY — A seasoned educator will take on incumbent Linda Freeze for the southeast area seat on the Rowan-Salisbury Board of Education.
Dr. Lynn Marsh, 61, said the fact that she has four grandchildren in the school system motivated her to run.
“I want to ensure that student achievement remains our highest priority by working collaboratively with parents, teachers, staff and community, including public and private partnerships,” she said.
Marsh, the current principal of W.R. Odell Elementary School in Cabarrus County, said her own educational background also led her to seek public office.
“I feel privileged to be able to give back by serving on the school board,” she said.
If elected, Marsh said she’ll have a “critical eye” on the budget.
“I will prioritize our funds to be used for our children and teachers in the classroom by scrutinizing each budget line item and consolidate our resources at the district level from preschool through high school to prepare our children for a more competitive and global world,” she said. “I believe in our school system and in the commitment of all stakeholders in the education of our children.
“I feel confident that as a school board member, I can help regain the trust of our board with the community.”
Marsh said she hopes to get into the classroom and to collect feedback from teachers.
“Our teachers are overworked and underpaid and doing the best they can to prepare our students for the 21st century work place,” she said. “We cannot keep adding to their plates without taking something off.”
Experience as both a teacher and administrator gives Marsh an edge, she said.
“(The) strengths I bring to the board are new energy, enthusiasm and firsthand knowledge of what is going on in our public schools on a daily basis,” she said. “I am still in the trenches and know all the expectations the state has placed upon our public schools and no additional monies to address these new requirements at the local level.”
Incumbents Bryce Beard and Dr. Jim Emerson are seeking re-election for their seats serving the Salisbury and east areas, respectively.
School board filing runs through Aug. 17.
Contact reporter Sarah Campbell at 704-797-7683.
Twitter: twitter.com/posteducation
Facebook: facebook.com/Sarah.SalisburyPost

Lynn Marsh 
Age: 61
Address: 704 Brookfield Circle, Salisbury 
Phone: 704-857-8805
Occupation: Principal of W.R. Odell Elementary School in Cabarrus County since 1997. She worked as an exceptional children’s teacher at China Grove Elementary from 1988 to 1995 before going into administration. 
Education: Bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, master’s in both school administration and learning disabilities from UNC-C and a doctorate in business administration from Cornell University/Warren National University 
Previous elected office: None
Community involvement: Member of the Rowan Juvenile Crime Prevention Council; Christ United Methodist Church; Special Olympics track and field basketball coach for 25 years; Eastern Star; creator of children’s “Smiley Zone” reading center at Rowan Regional Medical Center
Family: Husband Donald Marsh; daughter Donna Marsh Greene; son Matthew Marsh; and grandchildren Peyton, Parker, Pressley and Paxton Greene and Levi Marsh