A Life of Service. A Commitment to Leadership. A New Path Forward for Henry County Schools.
- richardsond
- Mar 28
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 1
My name is Dan Richardson, and I am running to serve as the next Henry County Board of Education District 2 representative. My campaign is rooted in two guiding principles that have shaped my entire life: service and leadership. These values have carried me through every chapter — from my childhood in Griffin, to my military service, to my work in corporate America, to my years serving families and communities across Georgia.
But before I share my professional journey, I want to share something even more important: My family has deep roots in Henry County. My wife and I raised three children who graduated from Henry County Schools, and today two of my grandchildren are enrolled in this district. I understand the hopes, concerns, and expectations of Henry County families because I share them. My desire to serve is grounded in ensuring that every child — including my own grandchildren — has access to the safe, strong, and supportive education they deserve.
Service Began Early — and Never Stopped
My commitment to service began decades ago in Griffin, Georgia, where I grew up. At Achaia Baptist Church, I volunteered in various roles and served on multiple committees. In high school, I stepped into leadership through the Y Club, a Christian service organization under the YMCA umbrella. I served as:
School Project Chair
Community Project Chair
President of my high school’s Y Club
President of the Northwest District of Georgia’s Y Club programs
These early experiences taught me that leadership is not about titles — it’s about responsibility, accountability, and showing up for others.
Service in Uniform
After high school, I joined the United States Army, serving as a Military Police Officer. I was selected for the VII Corps Color Guard, earned Soldier of the Year, and served on an elite team providing personal security for the VII Corps Commanding General.
These roles demanded discipline, integrity, and the ability to lead under pressure — qualities I carry with me today.
Leadership in Corporate America
After my military service, I transitioned into corporate leadership. Over the years, I held roles with increasing responsibility, including leading:
A team of seven direct reports
A large non‑exempt workforce
Remote teams across the globe
The department responsible for reducing and resolving collection and recovery complaints for the nation’s third‑largest private‑label credit card issuer at the time
These experiences taught me how to manage complex systems, build strong teams, listen, and solve problems at scale.
Serving Families and Communities
After leaving corporate America, I became a small business owner, helping buyers and sellers navigate residential and commercial real estate as a Licensed Broker.
I also spent two and a half years serving Gwinnett County families through the Juvenile Justice system, teaching:
Court‑mandated parenting classes
Boys anger‑management programs
Anti‑shoplifting courses and more.
Most recently, I served the citizens of Henry County as Chair of the Henry County Board of Elections and Voter Registration, ensuring fair, transparent, and accessible elections for our community.
Every chapter of my life has been rooted in service — and that brings me to today.
Why I’m Running
Henry County is full of potential, but our schools face real challenges that require fresh leadership, clear priorities, and a willingness to act.
One of the most urgent issues is literacy.
Henry County’s Literacy Reality
Our district’s overall reading literacy rate is in the mid‑50% range — meaning about half of students read at or above grade level.
The Georgia state average is 65% of 3rd graders reading at or above grade level.
Henry County is below the state average, and while we are improving, we are not improving fast enough.
What This Means
Early literacy (K–3) must be a top priority.
Performance varies widely across clusters.
Some schools are improving steadily, while others continue to struggle.
District 2 Literacy Snapshot
Dutchtown Cluster
Approx. Literacy Range: 45% – 60% Trend: Improving, but uneven Notes:
Dutchtown ES & Pate’s Creek ES show steady gains
Dutchtown Middle remains below the state average
Dutchtown High is improving but still mid‑tier
Stockbridge Cluster
Approx. Literacy Range: 35% – 55% Trend: Historically low performing, but improving Notes:
Several elementary schools have exited TSI status
Stockbridge Middle remains below district average
Stockbridge High shows modest year‑over‑year gains
Woodland Cluster
Approx. Literacy Range: 40% – 58% Trend: Mixed performance Notes:
Woodland ES performs near district average
Woodland Middle is significantly below the state average
Woodland High is improving but still mid‑tier
It’s Time for a New Path Forward
With results like these, it is past time to vote for friends simply because they are friends. Our children deserve better. Our educators deserve better. Our community deserves better.
District 2 needs:
Fresh leadership
A board member who listens, then acts
An advocate who does the homework
A leader who builds rapport and gets the job done
I am ready to serve with integrity, transparency, and a relentless focus on student success.
I’m Asking for Your Vote — and Your Partnership
I am asking for your support to serve as the next Henry County Board of Education District 2 representative. Not for a title, but for the opportunity to continue a lifetime of service — this time for our children, our educators, and our community.
Early Voting Begins: Monday, April 27 Election Day: Tuesday, May 19
Together, we can build the schools our children deserve.
Together, we can create a stronger Henry County.
Together, we can move forward.
Vote Dan Richardson for Henry County Board of Education District 2.
Comments