Sandy Pricer

Current office and 2026 campaign

Sandy Pricer is an independent candidate running for the Hamilton County School Board District 3 seat in the 2026 election ³. The position was recently vacated by retiring board chairman Joe Smith, who endorsed Pricer to fill the vacancy ⁴. Pricer self-describes as a lifelong Chattanoogan, mother of six, and nonprofit leader with twenty years of experience working with students, families, and educators in Hamilton County ². She is the founder and CEO of RiseUP Cooperative, a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to equipping young people with life skills, and serves as president of the board for Ivy Academy ⁶.

Pricer officially announced her candidacy in February 2026, stating that she had collected over 100 nominating signatures from every voting precinct in District 3 ³. During the first quarter of the campaign, Pricer reported raising $9,957 and spending $63, positioning her as one of the leading fundraisers in the county school board races ⁶. Her campaign platform emphasizes strong schools, strong students, and a strong community, drawing on her background in social work and foster care advocacy ². In addition to her political campaign, Pricer recently graduated from the Chattanooga Chamber’s Leadership program, citing the experience as providing her with perspective, purpose, and a professional network ⁷.

Background and education

Sandy Pricer is a lifelong Chattanoogan who was born and raised in Chattanooga ². She identifies as an adoptive mother and foster care advocate ¹. Her religious affiliation is noted through her status as a parishioner at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga ⁸.

Pricer holds both a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in social work ⁵. She also graduated from the Chattanooga Chamber’s Leadership program, which she describes as providing perspective, purpose, and professional networking opportunities ⁷.

Career

Sandy Pricer holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in social work ⁵. She previously worked as a caseworker for Chattanooga’s Partnership for Families, Children and Adults ⁵. In September 2020, she founded the Rise Up Cooperative, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization ⁵. Pricer serves as the president of the board for Ivy Academy ⁶.

Through the Rise Up Cooperative, Pricer offers life skills classes for children and young adults aged 13 to 23 ⁵. The organization focuses on supporting youth in foster care while welcoming other interested participants ⁵. In December 2025, the nonprofit hosted a Free Holiday Shopping Event that allowed partner organizations to provide gifts and supplies for 1,550 individuals ⁹.

Pricer graduated from the Chattanooga Chamber’s Leadership program, which she states provided her with perspective, purpose, and professional networking opportunities ⁷. She is also an adoptive mother and a foster care advocate ¹.

Office history

Sandy Pricer has held leadership roles within the nonprofit and charter school sectors but has not previously held elected public office ¹. She serves as the president of the board for Ivy Academy and is the founder and CEO of RiseUP Cooperative, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to equipping young people with essential life skills ⁶. Pricer established RiseUP in September following her tenure as a caseworker for Chattanooga's Partnership for Families, Children and Adults ⁵. Through RiseUP, she offers life skills classes for children ages 13 to 23, with a specific focus on youth in the foster care system ⁵.

Pricer announced her candidacy for the Hamilton County School Board District 3 seat in February 2026, seeking to fill the position recently vacated by retiring Chairman Joe Smith ³. She is running as an independent candidate and has collected over 100 nominating signatures from every voting precinct in the district ³. As of April 2026, she was reported to be one of the leading fundraisers in the race, having received $9,957 for her campaign ⁶. Pricer is endorsed by outgoing District 3 representative Joe Smith ⁴.

Business interests and wealth source

Sandy Pricer is a nonprofit leader and small business owner who serves as the founder and CEO of RiseUP Cooperative, a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to equipping young people with essential life skills ⁶. She established the cooperative in September following her tenure as a caseworker for Chattanooga's Partnership for Families, Children and Adults ⁵. The organization provides life skills classes for youth ages 13 to 23, with a specific focus on children in foster care ⁵. Pricer also serves as the president of the board for Ivy Academy ⁶.

In her capacity as CEO, Pricer has engaged in community development initiatives, including graduating from the Chattanooga Chamber’s Leadership program ⁷. Under her leadership, RiseUP Cooperative hosted a Free Holiday Shopping Event that allowed partner organizations to select gifts and household items for 1,550 individuals ⁹. Pricer self-describes as a lifelong Chattanoogan who has spent 20 years working alongside students, families, and educators in Hamilton County ¹.

Financially, Pricer is one of the leading fundraisers in the current District 3 school board race. Her first-quarter campaign report indicates she received $9,957 for the seat and spent $63 ⁶. She states that her support comes from longtime personal and professional friends ⁶.

Family

Sandy Pricer self-describes as a mother of six and an adoptive mom ². She has experience with foster care through her family and professional work ⁵.

Sources