We asked Montgomery school board candidates to answer a few questions. Here's what they said
The Montgomery County Board of Education has five seats on the ballot this election season. Lesa Keith, Clare Weil, Brenda DeRamus Coleman and Claudia Mitchell are incumbents. Jannah Bailey, current District 5 member, is not seeking re-election.
JaCorey DeJuan Calloway, Phadra Carson Foster and Pamela Greene Cloud are all vying for Bailey's District 5 seat. Marcus Vandiver is challenging Keith in District 1; Pamela Portis will face Weil in District 2; Coleman is unopposed in District 3; Vickie Taylor Holloway is challenging Mitchell in District 6.
The primaries are Tuesday; the general election is Nov. 8.
The Advertiser asked each of the candidates to answer the same four questions. These are their responses, as they were submitted.
Before you vote: Find your school board district
Got questions?: Everything you need to know to vote May 24
What are the biggest concerns for families in the community right now?
District 1 (R) incumbent candidate Lesa Keith: First & foremost, their child’s health & safety and academic achievement.
District 1 (D) candidate Marcus Vandiver: I believe the biggest concerns for families in the community are education and crime. Parents want to send their children to safe, high-quality schools, with effective leadership, a challenging curriculum, supportive learning environments, and high expectations. Families want to feel safe in the communities in which they live — where children play in the park and people can sit on their porches without concern or fear.
District 2 (D) candidate Pamela Portis: The biggest concern for the families in my community right now is safety. Individual safety, safety for family, and our children. Montgomery is under attack by those that are determined to steal, kill, and destroy our peace and prosperity.
District 2 (D) incumbent candidate Clare Weil: COVID! While we have made great strides during the past three years to improve our public school system, COVID has worked equally as hard to tear down some of our gains. Being in class, then virtual has played a devastating toll on our students as well as our 3,500 employees.
District 3 (D) incumbent candidate Brenda DeRamus Coleman: There are many issues facing families in our community, many of which result from economic conditions. Many families are struggling to gain and maintain employment, which puts a financial burden on the parents. Financial instability has adverse effects on academic and social well-being of the children and since the pandemic, parents’ concerns about helping students with schoolwork have also been spotlighted.
District 5 (D) candidate JaCorey DeJuan Calloway: The biggest concern for families in the community right now is crime in the city. Over the past few years, the crime rate has increased over the entire city. Many families are losing loved ones to senseless crimes each week. We must help stop the violence.
District 5 (D) candidate Phadra Carson Foster: Our families are struggling because the world changed rapidly. The pandemic brought on uncertainty, grief, changes in income, and learning loss.
District 5 (R) candidate Pamela Greene Cloud: Parents and/or guardians want safety and academic achievement for their children. They want school personnel to be teaching and ensuring engaged learning is taking place every day in the school year and their children are prepared and confident to move to the next grade level and be college and/or career ready. Safety not only means physical safety but also emotional and psychological safety.
District 6 (D) candidate Vickie Taylor Holloway: The biggest concerns for families in the community right now are safe and supportive learning environments. Parents want to know their children are safe at school. For example, free from physical and psychological harm. In addition, they want to know their children’s academic skills will adequately prepare them for life after high school.
District 6 (D) incumbent candidate Claudia Mitchell: Some of the biggest concerns families are currently dealing with are economic hardship, safety and ensuring that their children receive a quality education during this pandemic and beyond.
What role, if any, do you believe the schools play in responding to those issues?
District 1 (R) incumbent candidate Lesa Keith: Schools play a huge role because for many, they are the only family these children truly can depend on. Often, we are their safety net, providing breakfast & lunch, and an education. Teachers are raising the bar high enough to get them ready for their college & career needs.
District 1 (D) candidate Marcus Vandiver: Schools are the heart, lifeblood and future of our communities. I believe by investing in our school system. We are helping students increase their educational attainment, resulting in graduates that are better citizens with greater stability, better career opportunities, and a sense of civic responsibility.
District 2 (D) candidate Pamela Portis: The schools play a very significant role as it pertains to community safety. The schools are populated by the students in our community. The students in our schools are products of the communities they come out of. If we teach children conflict resolution skills, early, that leads to positive outcomes. It is my hope that they can train or retrain the adults in our community. Safe schools will impact a safer community, and vice versa.
District 2 (D) incumbent candidate Clare Weil: We must be the rock in the storm. Just having the consistency of being there for our students is critical.
District 3 (D) incumbent candidate Brenda DeRamus Coleman: Regarding the effects of family and home life on students’ academic well-being, it is incumbent upon education leaders to work to ensure equitable, high-quality educational opportunities for all students. These efforts include providing support for the disadvantaged and material, as well as providing for social-emotional needs.
District 5 (D) candidate JaCorey DeJuan Calloway: I think that the schools play an important role in responding to this issue by making sure that they report or handle any issues that occur with the students on campus. This would prevent it from spreading and getting out of control later.
District 5 (D) candidate Phadra Carson Foster: School systems are the designated point of delivery for many of the programs and funding streams that have been created to address the challenges that stem from the pandemic. As a community, we must hold our elected officials accountable to make sure that the funding is going to address these issues.
District 5 (R) candidate Pamela Greene Cloud: At one time the basics of reading, writing and mathematics were all that was needed to secure a job and therefore support a comfortable life. Times have changed and so have the responsibility of educating students for a more demanding/competitive world. Parents have become a more engaged partner with their children’s educational endeavors. Public schools are continuing to learn how to engage parents as partners because the education of children belong to all adults in the Montgomery Community.
District 6 (D) candidate Vickie Taylor Holloway: The schools’ role in responding to issues is embedded within the responsibility of establishing caring, positive, and engaging experiences for students and parents. Schools are the frontline soldiers who communicate, listen intently, and maintain a disposition that builds trust and understanding. It must be supported with effective and ongoing relationship building and dialogue that builds public trust.
District 6 (D) incumbent candidate Claudia Mitchell: We all have a role to play in improving circumstances in our community. The school system has a variety of programs to alleviate some economic hardship for students. Weekend meal plans, Enrichment programs, Evening and Saturday School Academies provide students opportunities for remediation for missed work because of the COVID pandemic.
The School Board serves as the community advocate by providing safe and adequate surroundings conducive to learning, making sure the resources needed are in place, and faculty and staff are professionally trained to meet the needs of today’s student.
What would you prioritize as a school board member?
District 1 (R) incumbent candidate Lesa Keith: Academic opportunities that would lead to student success . A recent study indicated that 8th grade student proficiency in Math has dropped from 40% down to 14%, on standardized testing since COVID, conveying 86% of our students are not proficient in Math, with Reading just behind, thus the reason for the Alabama Literacy Act. Academics achievement is a MUST.
District 1 (D) candidate Marcus Vandiver: There are so many important priorities that must always be addressed such as providing safe schools, improving academic achievement, and retaining teachers, to name a few. But I would love to see our school system, prioritize: 1. Improving district culture and climate; 2. Resolving issues around school discipline; and 3. Increasing community and stakeholder involvement.
District 2 (D) candidate Pamela Portis: As a school board member I will prioritize unity amongst, central office, administrators, teachers, staff, community, parents, and teachers. Too often school related information is announced by news sources before administrators and staff are aware of it. Unity within our MPS family will bring consistency and public trust back. School safety would be next on my short list.
District 2 (D) incumbent candidate Clare Weil: I have to prioritize student achievement. We are working on ways to enhance the student experience by adding additional sports opportunities as well as academic programing geared toward STEM. We are looking for relevant topics to today’s workforce.
District 3 (D) incumbent candidate Brenda DeRamus Coleman: We need to communicate the importance of education for children and families. Education is an investment. An educated citizenry helps build a safer, more secure community. We need to provide sustainable interventions such as extended day programs, extracurricular activities, and educational support programs in literacy and numeracy. We need to look at high school retention and graduation rates. The pandemic has shown us that students, parents, and educators have suffered not only physically, but emotionally as well. Our schools and community need more trauma informed environments that provide awareness, understanding, and services to address an array of mental health needs. My priorities are to review policies focused on student achievement and to make data-driven decisions based on factual data. I want to continue to improve communications with all stakeholders: family, community and our education family. Our improved communication efforts should include public recognition of our successes. We have focused plenty on the blemishes in academic deficiencies and accountability. We have a need for increased public relation ambassadors across the community, helping to spread the good news.
District 5 (D) candidate JaCorey DeJuan Calloway: 1. Transparency 2. Building a community to support both teachers and families at ALL schools 3. Improving academic performance at ALL schools focusing on Math & Reading 4. Increasing teacher compensation in order to be competitive with neighboring districts.
District 5 (D) candidate Phadra Carson Foster: Now, in this moment of unprecedented upheaval, we need to embrace innovation in our approach to everything that is education. Our teachers are our greatest asset. We need to provide them with the best tools possible and allow them to take advantage of the high-quality professional development that is being offered online.
District 5 (R) candidate Pamela Greene Cloud: Local, state, and federal funding must be used wisely and transparently to meet student academic needs. With that comes strategic planning for all fund sources to support the academic plans. The strategic plan is a living, changing, and working document that must be revisited at least once a year and preferably in a timely matter to prepare for the next academic year. Plan the work and work the plan to be good stewards of taxpayer funds.
District 6 (D) candidate Vickie Taylor Holloway: I want to prioritize achievable and accountability measures to address specific issues. Establishing policies, Adhoc committees, and stop shuffling children through the current alternatives but creating differentiated possibilities for ALL. It’s time to get back to school and hold everyone accountable: community advocates, parents, students, and staff (CAPS).
District 6 (D) incumbent candidate Claudia Mitchell: Student Achievement because every child deserves a quality education. Student achievement not only boosts confidence but also serves as a catalyst for success in other areas of a student’s life. It opens doors for a better chance of college enrollment and gives greater opportunities for job and career success.
What isn't working now in our schools, and how would you address?
District 1 (R) incumbent candidate Lesa Keith: Throwing money into administrative positions is not changing academic results....
District 1 (D) candidate Marcus Vandiver: I believe engagement with community stakeholders could be improved. Successful engagement heavily depends on open dialogue with stakeholders on important decisions that affect students. I would address this issue by encouraging a culture of two-way communication by creating opportunities for feedback, deliberation, and collaboration (i.e., listening sessions, Q&A sessions, etc.), as well as developing strategies to measure effectiveness.
District 2 (D) candidate Pamela Portis: Three years into a pandemic and we are still being reactive to the fight against COVID. The system continuously failing to plan for a nationwide pandemic has been disappointing. The lack of care and concern for educators, staff, and their families has been alarming. The current board members voted to prematurely remove the 14-day COVID safety net that would keep sick staff at home with pay or allow them to take care of their own children, without suffering economically gives the impression that they are not valued. A team consisting of those in the trenches should be invited to assist with a proactive plan for the year. I would encourage the board to be on one accord and be actively involved inside the schools we represent. If our children are learning care, compassion, and leadership from the adults in the public school system, we should consider them in all of our actions and if we do not we cannot be surprised about the deterioration of our communities and our schools.
District 2 (D) incumbent candidate Clare Weil: Let’s talk about what is working. For the first time in more than 50 years, we will have local funding which will allow for many extras that have been missing in our schools, for instance, coding classes in middle and high schools, arts and music in all schools and AP classes in all high schools. We also are working with dual enrollments so many students are graduating with diplomas and certifications that allow them to move directly into the workforce with amazing salaries.
District 3 (D) incumbent candidate Brenda DeRamus Coleman: Everyone knows of the academic deficiencies that have been broadcast across various media. We need to hold true to our belief that all children deserve an opportunity to receive high-quality instruction from the brightest and the best instructional leaders. We should honor our commitment to fair, high-quality teaching and learning opportunities. That being said, I have engaged in discussions about making each learning site its own center of excellence.
District 5 (D) candidate JaCorey DeJuan Calloway: Parent involvement is currently very minimal in the MPS school system. I feel that we can do better for our kids. We must encourage all children to accomplish their best by bringing teachers, parents, staff, and the community together. I believe that we can create a school system that works for everyone.
District 5 (D) candidate Phadra Carson Foster: Students and teachers need to feel safe and supported in our schools so that we can achieve educational excellence. Our school system currently operates from a fortress model, ignoring the benefits of family engagement. We must be proactive and adopt a partnership model that includes families, teachers, and other community partners.
District 5 (R) candidate Pamela Greene Cloud: If the Montgomery County School District 5 Constituents choose me, I will work with the other board members and the superintendent to continue to find the best solutions for learning loss due to the pandemic. Schools in School Improvement are an urgent problem along with student attendance issues. If students are not in school, they cannot learn to fidelity. If schools are failing to ensure learning, changes need to happen immediately. These two critical issues must continue to be addressed by the school system with policies and procedures being followed and /or strengthened.
District 6 (D) candidate Vickie Taylor Holloway: The alignment of resources and equity in instruction are not working in our schools. The pandemic is not an excuse but an opportunity for a change in mindset. Focus on processes used to address the insufficient number of resources — guidance counselors, social workers, truancy officers, qualified teachers.
District 6 (D) incumbent candidate Claudia Mitchell: Finding substitute teachers as well as full time teachers and staff is an issue. In an unstable environment created by the pandemic, it is a challenge to navigate through the perils of virtual learning versus traditional in-school instruction. Student academic achievement has been seriously impacted. Although we are making strides to reduce learning loss, we must find incentives to attract more educators and staff.
Jemma Stephenson is the children and education reporter for the Montgomery Advertiser. She can be reached at jstephenson@gannett.com or 334-261-1569.
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Montgomery County school board candidates answer questions: Primary
