A candidate for the District 90 seat in the Alabama House of Representatives has pledged to donate a portion of his salary to schools in the district if elected.

On Thursday, Republican Chris Sells said he will make an annual donation of $10,000 to schools in District 90, which includes Butler County, Crenshaw County, and parts of Coffee, Conecuh and Montgomery counties.

He said the money will be designated for classroom supply use.

“In addition to donating $10,000 of my legislative salary back to the school systems, I will also work to form a not-for-profit organization which will allow citizens and businesses to make tax deductible donations to our public schools,” Sells said. “I know there are a lot of people who want to help our schools systems and I want to help them make that donation easily.”

Sells said he believes quality public schools produce quality citizens.

“Every child deserves the best education possible and every teacher deserves the resources they need to teach our children,” he said.

Sells said he has met with teachers, administrators and parents throughout the district to hear their thoughts on public education, and plans to make that a regular occurrence if elected.

“I believe that it is important, as a legislator, to realize that I am not going to have all of the answers. I also think it is important to stay in constant communication with the people I represent throughout every corner of the district,” Sells said. “I will create an education advisory council once I am elected to make sure that I am hearing from parents and teachers on the issues that affect them.”

According to Sells, the council will consist of parents and teachers from each school in the district. He plans to meet with the council once a quarter, while also visiting each school in the district at least once a year.

“By visiting these schools, I can find out what each individual school needs,” Sells said. “What works in one school may not work in another school. I believe it is important for me to be able to represent the best interests of all of the schools in District 90.”

Sells defeated longtime lawmaker Charles Newton in the Republican Primary. He will face Democrat Walton Hickman in the General Election Nov. 4.