The following is a political announcement paid for by Bill Zechman. Photo provided by Miller Photography.

McMinnville insurance agent Bill Zechman today formally announces his campaign for re-election to the District 2 seat on the Warren County Board of School Commissioners.

As the incumbent Second District school board member, Zechman emphasized the importance of experience in school operations, education law and practical, proven methods in teaching.

“As a product of public education myself, I take pride in the fact that all of my children went through the public schools of Warren County,” Zechman said.  “As the only candidate in this race who can say that, I am also proud of the progress of my grandchildren in the public schools.

“Our nation’s Founding Fathers emphasized the absolutely vital role of public education in securing and defending the American democracy.   Our public schools welcome and serve children from all backgrounds and abilities, and they teach us how to get along with each other, to discuss and resolve our differences peaceably and constructively, and to work together for the common good.”

Zechman, an agent with the State Farm Insurance Companies, is married to the former Patricia Patrick and the couple has three daughters — Lara Christian (Christie) Bryson, Leslie Amanda Zechman and Lauren Galen Denney.   Their grandchildren are Abigail Bliss Tolley of Ooltewah TN, Tallulah (Touie) Watson, Flannery Bryson, Rex Denney and Esther Denney, all of McMinnville.  

The candidate is the son of the late George and Marie Zechman and has lived all his life in McMinnville except for time away in college and two years of work in Nashville.  

Upon graduation from the former McMinnville City High School—now the site of Warren County Middle School—he started studies at Tennessee Tech University but transferred to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, earning degrees in chemistry and philosophy. 

Zechman was appointed a State Farm Insurance agent in McMinnville in 1982 after nearly three years of work at the University of Tennessee Space Institute, where he worked directly under internationally recognized physicist and energy scientist Dr John B Dicks, Jr.

A lifelong member of Central Church of Christ, he carries on the tradition of his maternal grandfather, the late J Will McGee, as Bible teacher in Wednesday evening adult classes.   He is also a volunteer in Central’s ministry to inmates at Warren County Jail.

In community involvement, Zechman is a former member of the McMinnville Lions Club and the Noon Exchange Club.   In recent years he has been active in The Rotary Club of McMinnville, where he served as president and continues to work in other capacities.   

Zechman got his start in radio broadcasting as an early teen at McMinnville’s first FM station, WHNR.  That interest has continued as he has been one of the volunteer producers at the non-profit McMinnville Public Radio 91.3-WCPI since the locally based station went on the air in 1997.

“On July 4 we celebrated another anniversary of American independence, sovereignty and freedom,” the re-election candidate noted.

“One of the most important dimensions of that freedom is the opportunity to serve others, to serve our shared community and nation.   It’s also the freedom to do the right thing.  

“Let us pray that the blessings of this freedom may long abide with America and Americans,” Zechman emphasized.  “But while we pray we also need to work.

“I believe that my little part of that work is to support and enable our school children in achieving their highest potential so they’re fully prepared for the workplace or post-secondary education and training.”

Public education, with all taxpayers sharing the costs of educating all the community’s children, “is the great leveler upward,” Zechman said.  “The aim is to raise both expectations and performance to a higher level.”

“Our academic results in the state’s measurements show we have work to do, and our Warren County board and administration have been energetically addressing those issues, with the support of our teachers and principals.   Early indications are encouraging, and we are totally committed to pushing the curve upward for all students.”

Zechman underscored the importance of experience in leadership, the knowledge of what works and what doesn’t.

“In the history of ocean sailing mariners were often caught in open waters during violent storms and tempests.  All those on board, from the captain down to the deck hands, knew they had to stay with their assigned duties if they were to save the ship.  

“As we in Warren County work to pushing up our student performance, experience matters.”