By Sarah Campbell
scampbell@salisburypost.com
A Gold Hill man said he can bring a unique voice to the Rowan-Salisbury Board of Education.
“I decided to run in order to give parents a say and even the taxpayers a say in how the school system operates,” Michael Lambe said.
Lambe, 41, will challenge incumbent Dr. Jim Emerson to represent the east area.
Lambe said as a parent of two boys, he feels his input can be valuable.
“I think I can be more of an independent voice,” he said. “I’ve never worked in the school system, I’ve never worked in education, but I don’t think education is where it should be or where it needs to be in this ever-changing world.”
If elected, Lambe said he’d like to take a closer look at the budget to ensure that top level administrators aren’t being overpaid while teaching positions are being cut.
“I don’t really believe that spending more money is the answer,” he said. “I believe that the school system has plenty of money, it’s just the way they choose to use it.
“I think if we would focus on the top priority, which to me is the children, and quit with the bureaucracy, we would have a better education system.”
Lambe said he would also like to rally for more parental involvement and get back to the basics.
“Technology is great, I believe in technology, but I believe that a lot of kids lack understanding of the fundamentals,” he said. “We need to focus on getting them to learn first.”
Lambe said he would also like to take small steps locally that could eventually help change state and federal accountability standards.
“I don’t think we need to be teaching to the test,” he said. “We’ve done that in the past and it doesn’t work.”
There are two other open seats on the school board.
Newcomers Connie Johnson and Quentin Woodward Jr. will take on incumbent Bryce Beard to become the Salisbury representative.
Dr. Lynn Marsh will face off against incumbent Linda Freeze for the southeast spot.
Filing continues through Aug. 17 at the Rowan County Board of Elections inside the J. Newton Cohen, Sr. Rowan County Administration Building, 130 W. Innes St. The fee is $5.
Election Day is Nov. 6.

Michael Lambe
Age: 41
Address: 2355 Morgan Road, Gold Hill
Phone: 704-433-4505
Email: lambe4schoolbaord@att.net
Employer: EPES Transportation
Education: Graduate of South Rowan High School, currently enrolling in the computer technology program at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College 
Previous elected office: None
Community involvement: Founder and leadership member of the Rowan County Tea Party Patriots 
Family: Wife, Michelle; son, Zachary, graduated from East Rowan in 2010 and is currently serving in the United State Marine Corps; son, Dalton, eighth-grader at Erwin Middle School.