As the sole candidate for the District 4 seat on the Pike County Board of Education, Linda Steed is poised to serve the school system for six more years.

To Steed, cooperation is one of the most important elements of a proficient governing body of schools.

“You’ve got to have people that work together,” Steed said.

“I feel that the school board working together effectively with the superintendent and the administration will mean more progress for the future of the Pike County school system.”

Steed said that current Pike County education leaders have been able to achieve that harmony.

“We’ve got superb administration, we’ve made a lot of progress over the years and that’s with strong leadership.”

And that has meant a lot to the 26-year board member, who said she truly wants to make a positive impact on local schools.

“When I ran in 1984, I ran because I wanted to make a difference in the Pike County school system,” Steed said.

“I feel like I have made a difference.”

Steed takes pride in her efforts and enjoys witnessing the results.

“When you sit in honor’s day and you see those children take the awards they get knowing the accomplishments they made (that is rewarding).”

Steed has served numerous times as president and vice president on the board of education.

She has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Alabama Association of School Boards (AASB) for five years.

She has earned the distinction of master school board member from AASB.

She received the highest honor of the AASB in 1997, when she was named All-State School Board Member.

She served six years as a member of the Board of Trustees for the Alabama Risk Management for Schools.

She has lobbied Congress on behalf of Alabama school boards.

“They need to hear from the home-front, the impact certain bills have,” Steed said.

She was selected from a group of educational leaders around the nation by the American Association of High School Administrators to visit Singapore, Hong Kong and Saigon and study their education systems. She said she was witness to some “top-notch schools” during the study and “it was a really exciting time.”

Steed is the owner of the Happy Hair Salon in Brundidge and a cast member of “Come Home, It’s Suppertime!”