Kimble Slaton has announced his candidacy for the District 4 spot on the Vicksburg Warren School District’s Board of Trustees.

His name will appear on ballots Nov. 4. Slaton is opposed by former Vicksburg Mayor Joe Loviza and substitute teacher Katrina Johnson. The winner will occupy the seat held by Jan Daigre, who is not seeking re-election.

A 1981 graduate of Warren Central High School, Slaton, 45, owns CTSI, a local land surveying and mapping company. He attends Bowmar Baptist Church.

“My desire to hold this position is simple,” Slaton said. “I want to help make our school system the best it can be while also being fiscally responsible. The current board needs someone who will cooperate but also someone who will stand up for the students, teachers and taxpayers of this district.”

Slaton is a resident of District 4, in the southwest part of the county. He and his wife, Susan, have a son, Kiefer, who is a senior at Vicksburg High School. Kimble Slaton was selected Vicksburg High’s “Parent of the Year in 2007.”

“Our schools need improvement to have a positive economic impact on our community. It’s a shame that dozens of people employed in Vicksburg live elsewhere and drive hundreds of miles a week to avoid our school system,” Slaton said. “They earn a good living here but pay no local taxes, cater to no local restaurants or retail stores and their children never see our great city. That has to change if Vicksburg and Warren County are to succeed.”

Terms on the five-member board are for six years each and rotate so the entire board is never new.