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Frank Warren, an incumbent on the Collierville Schools Board of Education, could have two opponents in November.

Jeremy Smith, a counselor with Memphis-Shelby County Schools, wants a position on the board. He and another resident, Keri Blair, are challenging Warren in the November election.

Warren plans to seek another four-year term while Smith has not yet received sufficient signatures, according to the Shelby County Election Commission website.

Collierville Schools board incumbents to seek reelection

Although Blair pulled a petition for the seat and obtained sufficient signatures, she declined an interview this week. 

Smith has lived in Collierville since 1971 minus a few years he lived in Midtown. When he and his wife married, they decided to raise their family in Collierville. He has two students at Collierville High School, and one who already graduated.

Smith graduated from the suburb’s lone high school and is the vice president of the CHS alumni association. He has 25 years of education experience, including 10 teaching middle school language arts. He’s now a school counselor at Bolton High School. Under legacy Shelby County Schools, he taught at Germantown Middle School and Millington Central High School.

He wants to run due to his experience in education.

“I’m so close to education and that’s where my heart is, education and children,” he said. “I help out with the kids at my own school but can also help the ones in Collierville,” he said.

Many years ago, he worked with Collierville Parks and Recreation, and he’s also coached recreational sports leagues in town.

“Ever since my early 20s, I had been looking at one day possibly running for an elected position,” Smith said.

However, the formation of the suburban school systems helped him realize he should run for school board instead of another position.

Collierville leaders formally approve resolution supporting teachers

Municipal elections are Nov. 8. Candidates have until Aug. 18 at noon to pick up a petition and return it to Shelby County Election Commission with sufficient signatures. Those who qualify have until Aug. 25 at noon to withdraw.