The Gwinnett Chamber members heard from Gwinnett County Board of Education candidates on their vision for Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) during the Chamber’s Candidates Forum. Participants included incumbents Steve Knudsen (District 2) and Dr. Adrienne Simmons (District 4) along with their challengers Chelsea Hutchings and Camille Christopher, respectively. Knudsen is currently the longest serving School Board member, and Dr. Simmons was first elected in 2022. Hutchings is a GCPS parent focused on inclusive education, disability advocacy, and family engagement. Christopher has served five years as a GCPS substitute teacher advocating for strong academic foundations and ensuring students and teachers have the resources they need to succeed.

Candidates stressed the importance of improving early literacy and supporting Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education initiatives for all GCPS students. Each candidate also shared their top priorities for the new superintendent. Earlier this month, the school board selected Dr. Alexandra Estrella as the district’s next superintendent. Dr. Estrella previously served as Superintendent of Norwalk Public Schools in Connecticut and has 26 years of experience in public education. GCPS will hold a series of Area Board Meetings throughout the district for an opportunity for the community to connect with Dr. Estrella. Learn more here.

Since 2022, elections for School Board members in Gwinnett switched to nonpartisan. Early voting in Gwinnett begins Monday, April 27. Election Day is Tuesday, May 19. Visit the Gwinnett Chamber’s Facebook page to watch the full forum.