Meet Amy Pate, candidate for Nashville School Board, District 8
The Tennessean Editorial Board asked candidates first surveyed Nashville School Board candidates for the Davidson County primary on May 3. The winners of the partisan contests and the independents are now competing in the Aug. 4 county general election. Early voting started on July 15.
More: Learn about candidates running in the Aug. 4 Tennessee primary election | Editorial
Biographical Information
Name: Amy Pate
Age: 43
City or town: Nashville
Education: John Overton HS; University of TN, Knoxville
Job history: Pharmaceutical sales representative, stay at home mom, relocation consultant, construction sales
Family: Husband Bob, Son Hawkins, Daughters Langley and Hampton
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10 questions for the candidate
Which office are you running for?
Nashville School Board, District 8
Why are you running for this office?
Metro Schools have always been an important part of my life. I'm a proud MNPS grad, daughter of a retired Metro teacher, and mother of three kids in Metro schools (Elementary, Middle, and High School). I've been a supporter, volunteer and PTO president because I love our public schools. Although I've always followed education policy closely, I never planned to run for school board. Now, I'm in a position to help — and our schools desperately need it. Metro has the best teachers, staff and students in the state, but we're not reaching our potential. Over the last two years I've seen our leaders make decisions that put politics ahead of children. They've ignored parents and brushed aside the best interests of our kids. As a parent and future school board member I won't let that happen again. Metro must put kids first. Always.
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What makes you qualified to hold this office and better qualified than your opponent(s)?
I can't speak to the qualifications of my opponent, but I am a passionate supporter of public schools. I always speak from my heart and put kids first in every decision. I don't play political games or blindly follow ideology, and am running as an Independent because I truly am. I weigh each issue on its merits with neutrality and believe partisan politics has no place in running a school.
District 8 needs fresh ideas, not another lifelong ed policy insider looking to put "school board" on their resume. They need someone who listens to concerns and amplifies parent voices. Even if I don't agree, I will always listen and relay parent concerns. I will get answers to parent questions. True parent and student representation has been lacking, and I'm going to change that.
Last year I helped organize a group to push Metro into giving parents a choice between virtual and in-person school. I felt passionately there should be choice in this matter and Metro had a responsibility to serve all learners. Recently, I've advocated for a more parent and student individualized approach to masking taking into account the varied needs of Metro's student body. I've lobbied MNPS for more and better high dosage tutoring to help our kids catch up from all they missed when they closed schools.
I've also pushed for a faster and more consistent return of fifth grade to elementary in District 8, a situation in which leadership has ignored student well being and lacked transparency in its decision making process. I'm an advocate for later High School start times. These issues have been generally ignored by District 8 and MNPS leadership. To my knowledge my opponents stayed silent on Metro's performance through the pandemic and other issues that matter greatly to parents. We need a rep who will speak her mind and fight for kids. Someone who isn't beholden to party dogma, but put students first.
If you are elected (or re-elected), what are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
MNPS needs to regain the trust of parents through action and accountability. We need to ensure every single Metro student can read and do math at least at grade level. We must step up efforts to meet the learning needs and mental health crisis that has been exacerbated over the last two years. We need to demand fiscal transparency and accountability. Specifically, we cannot allow no-bid contracts and inflated bureaucracy, but must make sure every dollar spent adds to the best interests of students and teachers.
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What are you hearing most from voters about what they want you to accomplish, if elected?
Voters tell me that they want a school board that will bring common sense and real world perspective to MNPS. Voters want someone who will focus on the best interests of kids and trust that parents know their kids best. They want a school board that will hold Bransford Avenue responsible for improving student achievement. District 8 voters felt ignored and condescended to by our current board representative. Our district wants someone who listens to parents, meets with them in person and advocates for their children. Someone who will elevate their comments and concerns even if they don't share them. Someone who isn't seeking the position as a resume builder to make more money in education consulting, but someone who has first hand knowledge of what students are really experiencing. District 8 voters love our school community and want a representative that seeks to nurture that community.
Legislatures, including Tennessee's, have banned teaching of "divisive" topics in K-12 schools. What is your opinion about these measures and how would you like the local school board to approach lessons that may make some parents uncomfortable?
My mom was a teacher and a single parent. I saw the time and care put into her job. Parents trusted her, and she trusted them. These laws regarding divisive issues are a symptom of a current lack of trust, which I seek to rebuild. When I'm concerned or confused by curricula, I reach out to my teachers and principals with questions. When parents, schools, and teachers share mutual trust, age appropriate concepts which are challenging can be taught in a neutral, child focused way to grow critical thinking skills. I also feel these laws can be a distraction from more pressing MNPS issues such as low literacy and numeracy rates, the failure to keep schools open, dropping enrollment, and retaining our best teachers.
As Tennessee overhauls the education funding formula, what is your position on his approach and what might you recommend he do differently, if applicable?
It's exciting to see a funding overhaul that simplifies the formula and focuses on individual student needs. Not all MNPS problems can be fixed with money, but many issues absolutely cannot be fixed without it. Funding should always align with our priorities; making sure the most vulnerable students get caught up. My recommendation for all levels of government is that budget decisions be completely transparent, reflect stakeholder input, and meet the most pressing needs of our children.
What else do you want voters to know about you that will help them make an informed decision on election day?
I never planned on or expected to run for public office. I just want to make our public schools better so every child in Nashville has a fair shot at a good education like I did. There are small things we can do and big things we should implement, but parents must be heard and have a seat at the decision making table. We've been shut out for too long and this is reflected in dropping enrolment as more and more families seek options outside MNPS. This not only hurts our community, but it weakens our city and inhibits our growth. You know there's a problem with public schools when city leaders won't put their own children in them.
For all candidates: A "fun" question: When visitors ask you, "What should I do in Nashville?" what are the top 2 or 3 things or places you recommend?
I'm a Nashville superfan and love the fact it feels like I live in a new city, but never had to leave my hometown! l try to contain myself, I have so many favorites. I'm big on "family field trips" (cue groaning and eyerolls from my kids), so never miss a chance to visit the new Tennessee State Museum (amazing and FREE). During Covid, we seized the opportunity of a deserted downtown for a civil rights walking tour. Nashville was the first major southern city to peacefully integrate and the history is fascinating (thank you, Diane Nash). The Hermitage Hotel holds a special place because of its role in 19th Amendment history (and is where we held our wedding reception). I have also been known to karaoke a song two at Twin Kegs or Santa's (apologies in advance).
Will you commit to being civil in how you present yourself and the way you interact with opponents and others? (Our definition of civility is being a good, active, honest and respectable citizen)
Yes
Call Opinion and Engagement Director David Plazas at (615) 259-8063, email him at dplazas@tennessean.com or tweet to him at @davidplazas.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville Aug. 4 election: Amy Pate. candidate, school board
