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Laura Granere
From Ballotpedia
This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.
Laura Granere (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Williamson County Schools to represent District 11 in Tennessee. She lost in the general election on August 1, 2024.
Granere completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Laura Granere earned a high school diploma from William Blount High School. Her career experience includes working in the government.[1]
Elections
2024
See also: Williamson County Schools, Tennessee, elections (2024)
General election
General election for Williamson County Schools, District 11
Tonja Hibma defeated Laura Granere and Tony Caudill in the general election for Williamson County Schools, District 11 on August 1, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Tonja Hibma (R)  | 60.3 | 1,642 |
| Laura Granere (D) | 25.3 | 690 | ||
| Tony Caudill (Independent) | 14.2 | 388 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 4 | ||
| Total votes: 2,724 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Williamson County Schools, District 11
Laura Granere advanced from the Democratic primary for Williamson County Schools, District 11 on March 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Laura Granere | 97.6 | 248 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 2.4 | 6 | ||
| Total votes: 254 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Williamson County Schools, District 11
Tonja Hibma advanced from the Republican primary for Williamson County Schools, District 11 on March 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Tonja Hibma | 98.5 | 1,650 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 1.5 | 25 | ||
| Total votes: 1,675 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Granere in this election.
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Laura Granere completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Granere's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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All four of my children went to Williamson County schools. I have two grandsons currently enrolled in Williamson County schools. I have 15 years experience as a parent, volunteer, and substitute teacher, and I have another 12 - 15 years to go. I have a past, a present, and a long future interest in keeping Williamson County schools as excellent for my grandchildren as it was for my children.
- My number one concern is the outside influence trying to gain a foothold on our school board. If they do, they will fundamentally change the landscape of our school system. I will stand against this outside influence to make sure the only influence on the school board is the voices of Williamson County residents.
- Secondly, we need to pay our teachers a competitive wage. The board approved a much needed 6% raise this year; however, as appreciated this raise is, it is not enough. There were things that did not make it into this year’s budget that is needed. I will work with our county commissioners, speak at budget hearings on Capitol Hill, and work across the isle for the benefit of our teachers.
- Thirdly, we need to make sure that all students and their families are represented in our curriculum and library materials. Our students deserve to see themselves and their families reflected in our curriculum regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or abilities. I will continue to be a vocal, and staunch ally for all our students.
As the Chair of the Criminal Justice Committee with NAACP Nashville chapter, equity and equality for all minority groups is what I am most passionate about. I believe every student should be met where they are and given the tools to succeed in life after they leave our schools.
Honestly, my daddy, Bob “Biggin” Granere. My daddy was a fierce protector of his family, friends, and all women and children. I watched my daddy defend the defenseless. I watched my daddy stand up for justice. I watched my daddy grieve with the grieving. He was a good listener. He put everyone before himself, he was a servant at his deepest core. He was NOT even tempered, but he knew how to control it. He was fair, he was just.
The Hill by Amanda Gorman. We can learn so much from our younger generation if we just listen.
To be transparent, honest, and listen to their constituents.
I have the ability to work across the isle for the benefit of the whole. I was raised in a household with eight girls, and raised four children, I have lived a life of needing to work with others to reach a consensus.
To listen to the people they represent. I think we, as Americans, have forgotten what the job of the elected official is. The job of the elected official is to take the voice of the people back to the School Board, County Commission, State House, State Senate, US House, or US Senate, not the other way around.
That I loved all people well, and lived a life of authentic service to others regardless of the cost; that I fought for justice and freedom; that I left nothing on the table.
The Iran-Contra affair. I was 14.
My first job was at Thom McAn shoe store. I went in every week looking for an opening. I am not sure if I got the job because they needed me, or because of my unwavering tenacity. I worked there long enough to build my shoe wardrobe, about a year. I think I spent more money than I made at that store.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee; it fueled a fire for justice that was born in me at six years old when I learned what racism, is and discovered that there are racists in this world.
Eloise from Bridgerton.
Beautiful World by Kem
Breaking free of the shackles that society has put on women.
The role of the school board is to ensure that school districts are responsive to the values, beliefs and priorities of their communities.
First, the residents of district 11, then all the residents of Williamson County.
Promoting an educational environment that respects and celebrates diversity, ensuring that all students feel valued and included. This includes integrating multicultural education into the curriculum and addressing issues of equity and access.
To bridge the gap between the community and elected officials, I believe in the power of open, honest communication and active engagement. As a school board member, my priority will be to ensure that the voices of students, parents, educators, and community members are not only heard but are a driving force behind our decisions and policies. I have spoken to minority members of district 11, the same few issues keep coming up. I see them, I hear them, and their concerns will not be ignored.
There is so much more that goes into measuring good teaching than test scores. Teachers who teach with excitement and passion engage their students. Engaged students learn. Engaged student produce higher grades. I support innovative teaching methods that delivers the curriculum in new and exciting ways for our students.
Emphasizing the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education, along with critical thinking, creativity, and digital literacy, to prepare students for the demands of the 21st-century workforce. Incorporating sustainability and environmental education into the school curriculum to foster awareness and responsibility towards our planet among students. Increase availability of classes and curriculum for students preparing to enter the workforce or trade school.
I am committed to work with our county commissioners to find new, innovative ways to increase funding for our schools. Also, the way TISA is set up needs to be addressed. Williamson County receives very little from the state due to our tax revenue. This leaves Williamson County residents to make up the difference. Williamson County is not a tourist destination, such as Sevier County, which means the ones producing the tax revenue live in Williamson County, and their children go to our public schools. A higher percentage of Williamson County tax dollars need to go to public schools vs the counties with high tourist tax dollars.
Prioritizing the safety and emotional well-being of students within the school environment. This encompasses not only physical safety measures but also programs that support mental health, anti-bullying initiatives, and the creation of a supportive, inclusive school culture.
Programs that support mental health, anti-bullying initiatives, and the creation of a supportive, inclusive school culture.
Advocating for the recruitment, retention, and professional development of outstanding educators. Recognizing that teachers are the cornerstone of the educational system, ensuring they are well-supported, fairly compensated, and given opportunities for growth and development.
Change TN, Woman’s Political Caucus, Williamson County Young Democrats
Ensuring every student has access to a high-quality education that prepares them for success, regardless of their background or abilities. This includes advocating for advanced resources, innovative teaching methods, and comprehensive curriculums that cater to diverse learning styles and needs.
Williamson County school board followed the experts’ advice. I would not hire my mechanic to file my taxes. I am not a virologist or a scientist, I would follow expert advice.
I will host regular town hall meetings and forums where community members can express their concerns, ask questions, and provide feedback directly to me and other board members. These meetings will be crucial in maintaining an open line of communication and building trust. Ensuring that there are multiple, user-friendly channels through which community members can communicate with their elected officials, including social media, email, and telephone.
Advocating for the recruitment, retention, and professional development of outstanding educators. Recognizing that teachers are the cornerstone of the educational system, ensuring they are well-supported, fairly compensated, and given opportunities for growth and development.
Financial transparency allows the tax payers to see where their tax dollars are going. Holding government accountable for where the tax dollars are being spent helps mitigate corruption.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
See also
2024 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on July 22, 2024
