Alonzo Stevens has announced his candidacy for the Vicksburg Warren School District Board of Trustees for District 2.

Stevens, 60, faces incumbent Zelmarine Murphy for the six-year term on the five-member board.

Stevens has 30 years’ experience as a teacher and coach for the VWSD. He also taught and coached at Alcorn State University for eight years. He retired from the VWSD in 2012.

He is an advocate for strong academic standards and will work with the current board to improve the VWSD ranking among the 152 districts in Mississippi. He also wants to enhance the fiscal management capabilities of the district, guiding more funding the classrooms and teacher and student use.

A graduate of Rosa A. Temple High School and Alcorn State, Stevens holds masters degrees in athletic administration and biology. He and his wife, Linda, have five children and three grandchildren. He is a deacon at of Mercy Street Missionary Baptist Church.

The board meets the last Thursday of each month.