{"campaigns":[{"candidatename":"JESSICA MEYERS SHAFFER","chatgptsummary":"Jessica Meyers Shaffer's biography shows military service in avionics and work in banking and corporate finance, which may support budget literacy and policy judgment for a school board. Her background includes volunteering with youth ministries and Operation Stand Down, suggesting constituent relations skills. The biography documents no controversies or disciplinary records. Bio does not indicate experience hiring or evaluating a superintendent or completing state-required annual training through the Tennessee School Boards Association.","notes":null,"party":"R","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nJessica Meyers Shaffer is the Republican candidate for the Clarksville-Montgomery County School Board, District 5, in the Aug. 6, 2026 election, running against Democrat Jacqueline Burton [1][2]. Her priorities include school safety and conflict-resolution programs, transportation-safety and cell-phone policies, a focus on reading and writing and computer literacy, and civics lessons she describes as promoting \"America first values\" [1].\n\n## Background and education\nShaffer is a native of South Nashville and a graduate of Antioch High School who moved to Clarksville from Cheatham County with her husband and son in 2024 [1]. She served in the U.S. Air Force as an avionics mechanic during the Iraq War, studied technical management at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and holds a bachelor's degree in political science with a U.S. history minor from Lipscomb University [1].\n\n## Career\nShaffer has volunteered with Operation Stand Down and Christian youth ministries and has worked in banking and corporate finance [1].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Jessica Meyers Shaffer announces campaign for CMCSS School Board, District 5](https://clarksvillenow.com/local/jessica-meyers-shaffer-announces-campaign-for-cmcss-school-board-district-5/) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-22\n[2] [Who\u2019s on ballot for Montgomery County mayor, sheriff, commission, School Board](https://clarksvillenow.com/local/whos-on-ballot-for-montgomery-county-mayor-sheriff-commission-school-board/) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-22","firstname":"JESSICA","lastname":"SHAFFER","middlename":"MEYERS","suffix":null,"token":"bqSxMh5yN9"},"token":"jessica_meyers_shaffer"},{"candidatename":"JACQUELINE A. BURTON","chatgptsummary":"Jacqueline Burton's twenty-year career as an educational support professional and service on multiple education association boards demonstrate relevant constituent relations experience and familiarity with district stakeholders. Her biography contains no record of controversy or disciplinary action. Bio does not indicate experience in public budget literacy or the authority to hire and evaluate a school superintendent.","notes":null,"party":"D","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nJacqueline Burton is the Democratic candidate for the Clarksville-Montgomery County School Board, District 5, in the Aug. 6, 2026 election, running against Republican Jessica Meyers Shaffer [1][2]. She won the Democratic primary for the seat, defeating incumbent Jimmie Garland [2].\n\n## Background and career\nBurton is an educational support professional with more than 20 years of experience [1]. She has served on the Clarksville-Montgomery County Education Association Executive Board and on the boards of directors of the Tennessee Education Association and the National Education Association [1].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Jacqueline Burton announces candidacy for CMCSS School Board, District 5](https://clarksvillenow.com/local/jacqueline-burton-announces-candidacy-for-cmcss-school-board-district-5/) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-22\n[2] [Who\u2019s on ballot for Montgomery County mayor, sheriff, commission, School Board](https://clarksvillenow.com/local/whos-on-ballot-for-montgomery-county-mayor-sheriff-commission-school-board/) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-22","firstname":"JACQUELINE","lastname":"BURTON","middlename":"A.","suffix":null,"token":"9dfTEb44iE"},"token":"jacqueline_a_burton"}],"choices":null,"description":null,"district":null,"districtgroup":null,"districtgroupname":null,"districtname":null,"job_type":"school_board","o.office":null,"office":"county_school_board_district_5","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 for a public school district \u2014 setting direction while leaving day-to-day management to the superintendent.\n- Budget literacy for operating and capital budgets, in coordination with the county commission (which appropriates) and the state.\n- Ability to hire, evaluate, and when necessary replace the superintendent \u2014 the board's highest-stakes recurring decision.\n- Constituent relations with parents, teachers, principals, and community members.\n- Willingness to complete the state-required annual training through the Tennessee School Boards Association.","officeterm":4,"officetitle":"School Board Member","partisan":1,"pgr":"general","quantity":1,"referendum":null,"source":{"retrieved_at":"2026-07-19","title":"montgomery County, TN \u2014 August 6, 2026 Sample Ballot","url":"https://montgomerytn.gov/storage/departments/election/Legal%20%233%20-%20Sample%20Ballot%20AUG%202026.pdf"},"title":"School Board Member District 5"}