About Ashley T. Ballard

Ashley T. Ballard is Peach County through and through.

Born and raised here, he walked the same hallways as the students he now serves, a proud graduate of Peach County Comprehensive High School, Class of 1995.

From there, he stayed close to home and close to his roots, earning both a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Master of Science in Guidance and Counseling from Fort Valley State University.

His path into service didn't begin with a plan. It began with a person. In 1995, a mentor named Mrs. Jeraldine W. Walker showed him what it looked like to show up for young people with consistency and care. That example never left him. For more than thirty years, Ballard has carried that same spirit into his work in education, youth development, faith-based initiatives, and statewide programming, always with one goal in mind: helping young people discover and reach their full potential.

Now, Ballard is running for the Peach County Board of Education. Not simply to hold a seat, but to serve the community that shaped him.

He believes, without reservation, that strong schools build strong communities. His campaign is focused on three things: sensible governance that makes the most of every dollar, fair access to opportunities in every school across the county, and real preparation for what comes after graduation. That means multiple pathways, whether a student is headed to a four-year university, a trade, a career, or military service. Every student deserves a plan that fits their future.

Ballard's approach is grounded in something simple: trust. Trust built through transparency, accessibility, and accountability. Trust earned by making sure community voices — parents, educators, neighbors — are part of the decisions that shape the next generation.