Danner brings fresh outlook to campaign

Jeff Danner thinks his questioning nature will help the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Board of Education take a different approach to tackling complex issues.

Danner is one of four candidates vying for three available seats on the city school board in this fall's election.

Although he is a newcomer to the race, he is no stranger to local education issues.

"I've known always that he was just passionate about education," said Robert Newton, Danner's campaign manager.

"He was raised that way, and it was just in his genes."

Danner, a process development manager for a biotherapeutic company, moved to Chapel Hill with his wife and two children about five years ago.

"We moved here for the school district, and we've been very pleased," Danner said.

"My children have had good teachers and Seawell is a very well-run elementary school so I think our personal experience has been very good."

While he said he is pleased with the district, there's still more that can be done to build upon the status quo.

"I think what we really need is a school board that really is able to do two things - review all of the issues coming for it from a very data-driven and analytical perspective," he said.

"And the second feature is I'd like the school board to be able to take its strategic plans and be able to distill them down to their essence."

Newton noted that Danner is trying to take on a variety of issues as a candidate.

"I would just say in terms of campaigns, Jeff's just trying to reach out," Newton said.

"He's not a single-issue candidate."

Newton also noted that Danner had a previous job far away from town that did not allow him much time to be always be involved with the schools.

With his new job, he has been able to take an active role in the system, Newton said.

Danner is a member of the Seawell Elementary School governance committee.

He also has several commitments in the community as a YMCA youth soccer coach and a summer swim league volunteer.

Although his degrees - a doctorate and a master's degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a bachelor of science degree from the University of Virginia - are in chemical engineering, his father, a university professor, taught him the importance of education.

Danner's campaign is now off and running - though he said it's still a learning experience.

His Web site (jeffdanner.org) has information about him in addition to election issues.

Danner said he also will be putting out signs and has several friends who will host meet-the-candidate parties.

Newton said that before Danner filed to run, he was a "relative unknown," but everyone who meets him seems to be impressed with him as a candidate.

And his children also are getting interested in his campaign.

"I think we're kind of enjoying it as a family experience so far," Danner said.

 

Contact the City Editor at the citydesk@unc.edu.