{"campaigns":[{"candidatename":"Courtney Barnes","chatgptsummary":"The Arlington School Board Position 4 is a role that requires dedication to the community, a commitment to high-quality education, and the ability to bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to the table. Courtney Barnes, a parent of an Arlington Community School (ACS) graduate and current student, has announced her candidacy for this position. She is passionate about ensuring every child has access to a top-notch education and is committed to maintaining the high standards set by the current board. She also aims to build upon the progress achieved by the outgoing board member, Kay Morgan Williams. Courtney's dedication to the Arlington community and her eagerness to serve make her a suitable candidate for the Arlington School Board Position 4.","notes":"","party":"Nonpartisan","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nCourtney Barnes is a candidate for the Arlington Community Schools Board of Education on the August 6, 2026 ballot [1]. She announced her candidacy for the seat being vacated by Kay Morgan Williams, who is not seeking re-election, and is the parent of both an Arlington Community Schools graduate and a current student [1].\n\n## Background and education\nPer her professional profile, Barnes holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing and attended the University of North Georgia from 1993 to 1997 [2].\n\n## Career\nAccording to her professional profile, Barnes has worked in real estate and multi-family housing for nearly twenty years [2]. She began as a sales specialist with the leasing firm CLASS, then served as a corporate trainer and district property manager for a large Memphis apartment-management company before becoming a licensed commercial and residential real estate agent [2]. She has also worked as a sales instructor for national designations including NALP, CAM, and Fair Housing through the NAA and IREM [2]. Her profile lists her as a past president and chairperson of the Memphis Apartment Association, where she was named Top Associate of the Year, and a recipient of the Memphis Area Association of Realtors (MAAR) Pinnacle Award; it states MAAR recognized her in 2020 as the agent with the highest sales volume of existing homes in Arlington, Tennessee [2].\n\n## In the candidate's own words\nThe following is Courtney Barnes's campaign announcement, in her own words [1]:\n\n> After much thought and prayer, I'm thrilled to announce my candidacy for the Arlington Community School Board. This decision comes after discussions with Kay Morgan Williams, who has decided not to pursue re-election. I personally expressed my gratitude to Kay for her years of dedicated service, leadership, and sacrifices for our children and community. It is my intention to build upon the progress achieved by Kay and the current school board members \u2014 ensuring students, teachers, staff, and administrators have the necessary resources, policies, and tools for an outstanding educational system in Arlington.\n>\n> As a dedicated parent of both a graduate and current ACS student, I'm passionate about ensuring that every child receives a high-quality education. I believe in and love our Arlington community, our schools, our teachers and our people. Our Arlington community inspires me to ensure that every child has access to a top-notch education. I'm committed to maintaining the high standards that have been set, while also bringing fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to the table. Together, let's uphold their legacy and propel our schools to even greater heights. With your support, I'm eager to serve and make a positive difference for Arlington's future. Thank you for your trust and consideration. Go Tigers!\n\n## Sources\n[1] Candidate's campaign announcement (provided to Ballot Project)\n[2] [Courtney Barnes \u2014 professional profile (LinkedIn)](https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtney-barnes-973a446/) [verified: Doug Sims 2026-08-02, not machine-fetchable]\n\n## Links\n- [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtney-barnes-973a446/)\n- [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/courtneybarnes38002/)\n- [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/courtneybarnes38002realtor/)","firstname":"Courtney","lastname":"Barnes","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"5j10CJPEjy"},"token":"courtney_barnes"}],"choices":null,"description":"","district":"arlington","districtgroup":"municipality","districtgroupname":"Municipality","districtname":"Arlington","job_type":"school_board","o.office":"arlington_school_board_position_4","office":"arlington_school_board_position_4","officedescription":"A school board member serves on the elected body that governs a public school district. The board sets district policy and budget priorities and hires and evaluates the superintendent, while leaving day-to-day management to the administration.","officequalities":"- Policy judgment on a small suburban district within Shelby County \u2014 Arlington, Bartlett, Collierville, Germantown, Lakeland, or Millington \u2014 typically several thousand students across a single elementary/middle/high feeder pattern.\n- Budget literacy for both operating and capital budgets, in coordination with the suburban municipality (which provides matching local funds in some configurations).\n- Ability to hire, evaluate, and when necessary replace the superintendent.\n- Constituent relations with parents, teachers, and community members across an actively engaged small district.\n- Willingness to complete the state-required seven hours of annual training through the Tennessee School Boards Association School Board Academy.","officeterm":4,"officetitle":"Arlington School Board Position 4","partisan":1,"pgr":"general","quantity":1,"referendum":"","source":null,"title":"Arlington School Board Position 4"}