Matthew Tate of Franklinton has announced his candidacy for re-election as Washington Parish School Board District 8 representative.

He has been married to Rosemary B. Tate for over 47 years. They have one son, Mathis M. Tate, who is married to Shayla Jackson Tate. Matthew Tate is the father of Shayla Nicole Tate. He became a resident of the Franklinton community in 1963, upon being employed by the Washing Parish School System as a mathematics and science teacher at the former Washington Parish High School.

Tate is asking his constituents to allow him to continue to serve as the District 8 School Board member. According to his announcement, Tate has an insight into the dilemmas faced by the school system when it comes to the decisions made by the Louisiana Legislature, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Department of Education and the Office of the Governor.

He holds a B.S. degree in education and a master’s degree in education from Southern University, along with a specialist degree in education from Southeastern Louisiana University.

He was appointed by Gov. Mike Foster to serve on the Advisory Board to the Bureau of Licensing for Day Care Centers and other state agencies. He has served as teacher, assistant principal and principal in the Washington Parish School System. He is presently serving as a board member of the Regina Coeli Child Development Center in Robert, La. He is also currently serving as president of the Washington Parish School Board.

His community services include but are not limited to the following: past president of the Rural Franklinton Water System, presently serving as president of the Board of Directors for the Good Samaritan Living Center, past president of the Kiwanis Club of Franklinton, presently serving on the Board of Directors for the Franklinton Area Economic Development Foundation and many others. He has served as local Boy Scout master for Troop 49 and has worked closely with local leagues in sponsoring little league baseball and basketball teams. The sponsorship for the little league teams was financed through his business, Tate’s Tax Service.

Tate is a member of the Winan United Methodist Church. He is a member of the Finance Committee, where he serves as treasurer. He works closely with the Laity group of the church and serves as Sunday school teacher for the adult class.

“Your vote and support for Matthew Tate as your School Board representative of District 8 is greatly appreciated,” Tate’s said in his announcement. “May God bless you and continuously be with you.”