Although Snell, a retired Dodgen Middle School principal, has been criticized by opponents as a Glover Street insider, he asks voters to do their research on him and learn about his opinions on issues before drawing any conclusions.
"I'm kind of thought of unfortunately, but rightly so, as the quote "Glover Street insider" because of my administrative background," Snell said. "But if folks go back and look at my answers, I'm only trying to look at it as what's truly the best for our kids. I have no connections and am making a special effort to not have any at central office ... I do my own research."
Snell, 53, went to work in the Cobb school district in the early 1990s. He retired from the district in 2009 to work for the state Department of Education. He and his wife, Diane, have one son who graduated from Walton High School.
Sweeney, 52, the chief financial officer at his family's consulting firm, is a newcomer to the education and political scene.
He and his wife, Sandy, have two children, a rising fourth-grader at Sope Creek Elementary, and another who will be a kindergartener there in August.
When asked why he thinks he would be a good candidate for the school board, Sweeney points to his degree in economics and his 26 years of experience in business.
"The biggest issue currently facing the school district and for the foreseeable future will be the budget, and we need proven leaders with business and fiscal budget responsibilities," said Sweeney, who studied economics at the University of California at Los Angeles.
And his business expertise sets him apart from his opponent, Sweeney said.
"The Cobb County residents that I have spoken with want to see a diverse talent set on the board of education, particularly those that have business experience," Sweeney said.
Snell, though, says his passion for education makes him the best candidate for the job.
"First thing that comes to mind ... is just a passion for education," Snell said. "I know that may sound somewhat hokey, but I don't necessarily hold myself out as being the end-all-be-all. I just have a passion for education."
In recent months Snell has criticized several Glover Street decisions, such as in May when board member Alison Bartlett's effort to end the vacation rollover perk for administrators was overruled by the rest of the board.
Snell said he would vote to end the policy, as did Sweeney. Both say they intend to bring the issue up again if they are elected to the board.
Snell and Sweeney also agree that a national search for a new superintendent is necessary - and that the current board should wait until a new board is seated in January to appoint someone to the top job. Superintendent Fred Sanderson announced last month that he will resign when his contract expires in June 2011.
As for whether Dr. Steven Constantino, the deputy superintendent, should be considered for the post, Sweeney replied, "We need new talent."
Snell said he thinks board policy would prevent Constantino from being a candidate.
"Board Administrative Rule GBNA excludes Dr. Constantino from consideration," Snell wrote in an email to the Journal. "It reads in part that 'under no circumstances will one member of an immediate family be assigned to supervise or evaluate the performance of someone in his/her immediate family."
Constantino's wife, Peggie, directs the district's special education program - and Snell said that if he were on the board, he would be questioning the couple's work arrangement.
The Cobb County Association of Educators has endorsed both Snell and Sweeney, and has given each candidate $2,000.
Snell's June 30 campaign contribution disclosure report lists total contributions of $5,171.53 in the three-month reporting period, which he ended with $4,441.53 in cash on hand.
He lists donations from his own pocket totaling $1,911.17, which he told the Journal was for the printing of brochures. His report also notes $400 worth of sign printing labor, which Snell said was donated by a former teaching colleague.
Sweeney's report lists contributions of $3,630 this period, and $1,474.32 in cash on hand.
The winner of the July 20 primary will face Democrat Ricky Alan Welkis on Nov. 2 to win the seat now held by Dr. John Crooks.
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Your simplistic comments leads me to believe, you think a school board member should personally know the names of all 106,000 students in the classroom, their schedules and their teachers' names as well.
I too have a special needs child but have no realistic expectation that a board member would know how to handle a particular situation or even answer a question without looking into all the components. Instead, I would simply ask them to be a go-between and hear me out if I have a problem. I would then expect them to respond in a timely fashioI believe. I believe either candidate can do that effectively.
Good gracious, grow up and base your vote and support on something more well thought out. Like, maybe, if we will even have the services we need for our special needs children due to the lack of money next year and beyond. Because if we do not have the financial resources available your point is moot at best!
I have a passion for football but that does not mean I should run a NFL team. We need someone who has kids in the school and understands how to manage a budget without raising taxes. We need Sweeney