Board of Education, District 3

Name: Larry Contri

Age: 71

Political experience: First political race

Professional experience: Birmingham City Schools teacher, grades 7-8, 1967-72; principal, Fairmont School, 1972-79; principal, Curry School, 1979-1981; principal, Ramsay High School, 1981-1984; area assistant superintendent, 1984-96; director of research/planning, 1996-98; director of special projects, 1998-2002; information technology officer, 2002-2007; director of schools, 2007-2016; interim superintendent, August 2016-May 2017; Samford and UAB adjunct professor.

Civic experience: Board of directors, Youth Leadership Forum; board of trustees, Birmingham Children’s Theatre; board of directors, Birmingham Summerfest; advisory board, Birmingham Drug Task Force for Youth advisory board; Birmingham Humane Society board member; Keep Birmingham Beautiful; Miss Alabama Scholarship Organization judge.

Education: Bachelor of science, University of Alabama, 1963-67; masters of science in education administration, Samford University, 1970; doctor of education, University of Alabama, 1975-77.

Top contributors: $500 Jayson Berger, Hoover; $300 Allen Marks, Birmingham; $250, Larry Ward, Birmingham, James Davis, Birmingham, Scott Vowell, Birmingham; $200 Ruth Steele, Birmingham.

Main issues: Sound financial management and accountability. Provide equity and parity for all 43 schools. Increase parental and business involvement in all schools. Closer working relationship among superintendent, board members and City Council. Increase academic achievement in Pre-K through 12^th grade. Provide teachers with needed instructional materials. Provide a safe, secure learning environment.