BY JYOTHSNA HEDGE

Dr. Ravindra Kumar, a faculty member and researcher at the Morehouse School of Medicine defeated Ralph Villani with a comfortable margin in the Democratic primary race for Gwinnett County School Board on July 15. He represented Gwinnett County’s District 5.

Dr. Kumar will face incumbent and longtime school board member Louise Radloff in the November 4, 2008 general election.

The academician has never been voted to public office before. But he has personally experienced the quality of education in District 5 through his two teenage sons and decided to bring about change himself by running for this position.

Dr. Kumar has completed a MS in Chemistry and Biochemistry, and holds a PhD in Biochemistry. He has worked in the field of academia as a researcher and teacher for many years and has published numerous journals. He lives with his wife and two sons in Gwinnett county District 5.

Having served in the academic field throughout his career, Dr. Kumar feels the need to fix the broken school system. “I believe that education is important for everyone. My goals are to improve the quality of education in the county’s school system, resulting in improved scores in all tests such as the CRCT, and the SAT; I also seek to reduce the large high school dropout rate and make our schools and neighborhoods safer places for all of our people” he quotes.

Dr. Kumar believes that minorities such as Asian American communities do not have enough representation in policy making of government organizations especially in the educational system, which is the backbone for a better future. “We have to develop a system to measure violation and reward that works best for minority and majority communities without any discrimination. We have to aim towards a system where children are not discriminated” says Dr. Kumar.

Dr. Kumar assures all his supporters that his victory is another step forward not just for him, but also for the people who believe that change is necessary in the school system. He urges voters from District 5 regardless of race, religion, or ethnic background to come forward and vote for him in the general election, which is to be held on November 04, 2008. .