Pam Shores Cates Announces She Will Seek Re-Election

Staff Report

CHIPLEY — Pam Shores Cates, 59, of Vernon has announced her plans to seek re-election to the Washington County School Board District 3 seat.

“It has been an honor and privilege to serve as your District 3 school board member,” Cates said in a news release.  “To me this has been a job, not a position. Many, many hours have been spent at school functions throughout the county — observing, learning, volunteering, supporting, and encouraging students, teachers, administrators, and support staff.”

She has served on the school board since 2008.

Cates retired as the Vernon postmaster and she is a lifelong resident of Washington County. She graduated from Vernon High School and attended Chipola Junior College.

During her 29 years with the Postal Service, she also served as officer-in-charge of the Malone Post Office and later the Graceville Post Office.

She is the widow of Jack Cates. “I have two daughters, both graduates of Vernon High School and Chipola College, Niki Seley as a mathematics teacher and Allison Brock as a registered nurse.  I am the proud grandmother of students currently enrolled in the Washington County school system,” Cates said. She has three grandchildren and three step-grandchildren.

“In the community, I am a city representative on the Vernon Cemetery Committee, president of the Vernon Garden Club, and a member of the Vernon Historical Society.  In addition, I am a volunteer with the Take Stock in Children program, presently mentoring two students at Vernon High School. I am an active member of Eastside Baptist Church, serving for several years as secretary-treasurer of the church and teaching Sunday school,” she said.

“During my term, our nation, state, county, and school system has been greatly impacted by the downturn of the economy.  The school board has been able to maintain a steady financial condition without increasing taxes for the citizens of Washington County.

“ As your current school board member, I greatly desire to use my financial experience during the next term to continue to monitor expenditures and keep tax rates at the current level,” Cates said.

“I am very proud to have served as your District 3 school board member.  I would like to continue to use my experience and knowledge by striving to improve the quality of  the Washington County school system for students and employees while being a good steward of  Washington County’s citizens tax dollars,” she said.