KANNAPOLIS — Incumbent Todd Adams, 47, is one of two Rowan County candidates running for a seat on Kannapolis City Schools’ Board of Education.

Adams was first elected to the board in 2008 and currently serves as board chairman.

The Kannapolis Board of Education has five seats, with four elected from Cabarrus County and one from Rowan. Two Cabarrus members are retiring after their term ends this year. The remaining board members are Danita Rickard, who has served on the board since 1990, and Daniel Wallace, who joined the board in July 2015 to complete Millie Hall’s term.

“I think it’s important that we have some experience on the board that understands the history of the school system,” Adams said.

James Smith, of Pendleton road, is also running for the Rowan seat.

Adams has three children in Kannapolis City Schools, and said his ties to the system as a parent are what make him a strong candidate.

“I ran for the board for the first time because we did not have any parents on the board,” he said.

Married to wife Trish, Adams grew up in Davidson County and graduated from Appalachian State University in 1990. He is employed with Speedway Benefits and works from his Westlake Drive home.

Adams says the Kannapolis school board needs continuity and stability. His priority as a current board member and as a candidate is to see student achievement improve. The system is starting to turn around, and Adams said he hopes to see progress on that front very soon.

And Adams says he’s running for re-election because he loves being on the board.

It’s been a great experience for me, and it’s been very eye-opening,” he said.

In Rowan County only residents living within the Kannapolis City Schools district may vote for Kannapolis school board candidates. Voting for the Kannapolis Board of Education will take place March 15 in conjunction with the North Carolina primary. Newly elected members will be sworn in at the board’s April meeting.