Candidate Biography (submitted by campaign):

Aaron Pomis has fought his entire career to ensure that students' educational and life prospects do not depend on their zip code.  Aaron earned a BS in Chemistry from the University of Illinois in 1996 and worked as an award-winning research chemist before applying his skills in education.  In 2000, Aaron Pomis was elected to a local school board in Chicago Public Schools and learned the impact of community partnerships by collaborating with local government, district officials, area business owners, parents, and community groups to rebuild a hazardous playground, and create community parking that brought in $225,000 a year in additional school funding. 

In 2002, Aaron Pomis joined Teach For America where he learned the impact of strong instructional leadership as a classroom teacher in Durham Public Schools and in 2004 while working as the founding program director for Teach For America's Charlotte site.  Aaron Pomis worked with CMS officials and principals while supporting more than 200 new teachers and developing 28 Outstanding First Year Teacher Nominees and 3 District-Wide Outstanding First Year Teacher Award winners.

Aaron Pomis joined the board of directors of The Community Charter School in 2005, where as chairman he learned the impact of focused and strategic budgeting. With clear budget priorities, math scores jumped 20% while leaving a $100,000 budget surplus and bonuses for teachers.

In 2007, Aaron Pomis helped bring KIPP Charlotte to District Three, a free and public charter school serving a student population that is 95% African American and committed to sending underserved children to college.  On the state science tests Aaron's students at KIPP are 70% proficient, more than tripling the 19% average proficiency rates seen by African American students across the state.

Aaron Pomis currently resides in District Three where he is excited to start a family with his fiancee.

Candidate Statement:

I have always been of the mindset that we all should be involved in making our community a better place.  In 2000, I dedicated myself to ensuring that students in schools and communities that are traditionally underserved had a voice.  While some of the most privileged communities across the country and North Carolina are funneling nearly all of their students to college, other communities that are divided by race or socio-economic status are left to fend with high dropout rates and low academic achievement.  My time as a science teacher in the classroom, as a member of governing school boards in Chicago and Charlotte, and my time as a program director with Teach For America have all demonstrated that this need not be the case.  These experiences have showed me what IS possible in EVERY community -- that, with strong leadership and dedicated teachers, with a budget that focuses on what works for kids, and with a strong partnership with parents and the community -- ALL students can achieve at a high level.  It is with this belief firmly in mind that I roll up my sleeves and prepare to work on behalf of the students of District Three.  We can no longer blame others, but we must look inward as the adults in our community to ensure that we are honoring our commitment to the children and ensuring that each of them has an opportunity to attain an excellent education.  I want to represent District Three and be a part of this school board to work together and make the difficult decisions required to put every student in Charlotte on a path to success.