My Questions for the OPS Subdistrict 2 Candidates

I apologize for my late email. It has been a full day of connecting with the community, my constituents  the church and my family, but I didn’t want to go to bed without responding to you. Please see my responses/opinions to your questions below:

A. The mission of OPS is to provide educational opportunities which enable all students to achieve their highest potential. Their aims are:

1. High student achievement

2. Safe and secure learning environments

3. Professional work force

4. Partnerships

5. Effective and efficient use of district resources.

Personally, I believe these are the primary goals of OPS.

B. The role of the school board in this goal is to review, rewrite, offer and require policies to help OPS be successful in this endeavor.

C. With a birds eye view of OPS’s successes over the past 3 years; it is my opinion that their success are as follows:

1. The graduation rate has slightly improved

2. Dr. Mackiel has retired and been replaced with a new superintendent

3. The school board has been restructured and every member is required to “re-apply” for their positions

D. Failures:

1. Lack of transparency

2. Inability to develop policy that not simply speaks for OPS as a whole, but that focuses on their seeming inability to develop policy that purposefully works towards close the achievement gap.

3. The lack of innovation and consideration for 21st century needs of the youth that are reflected in decision making and policy construction.

E.Over the next year, the successes I would like to see OPS Board of Education have are:

1. Recapturing the respect of the community

2. Developing a listening ear to the teachers and the teachers unions.

3. Developing a program that incorporates parents, community leaders and advocates in their decision making processes.

F. As volunteer Executive Director for EIE- Enough is Enough, it has been my job and responsibility to be transparent with the community. With this characteristic being a natural ability, transparency is what I will bring to the table on day one. With that in mind, policies equal politics; therefore the challenge will potentially come with the development of policies. However, that will depend on the mindsets of my fellow board members and their willingness to be open minded to removing politics from policy. Either way, I will ask the right questions, to the right people, in the right way in order to gain a full understanding of the who, what, why, where and how does it effect….

Depending on accumulative responses to those things, it will then be my charge to either inform the community of what I fought for and was kicked back on or what I fought for and had been accepted/approved. As a community organizer and leader, it is my responsibility to inform the community of everything they need to know to first have a full understanding and second give them the opportunity to speak out against/for themselves. We can no longer can be represented by individuals who do not allow the people to speak for themselves. This is the only way hope, trust and power can be truly formed.

In an effort to require OPS to stand on the goals I mentioned in question A, it will be my charge to develop a proposal that influences partnerships and an effective/efficient use of district resources. Combined with my response to the success(s) of OPS, in regards to the previous and new superintendent, the question must be asked, why does OPS have no money yet we’re able to pay such a lucrative retirement package to the former superintendent and such a high wage to the current superintendent.

Innovation is the language of my generation. This means the next generation expects, requires and basically cannot live without it. Considering all facts, I will not simply request, but place individuals, plans and proposals signed by constituents of district 2 in front of my peers and legislature to demand an innovative plan for our children. It is important that while I will represent the voices of the families of district 2, that they are able to speak for themselves. My resume and work includes forums, both formal and informal, as well as committees created for this purpose. I will bring the entire district 2 community to the OPS Board of Education. My ability to do this proceeds me and I cannot consciously become a OPS board member without making this a part of our agenda.

Thank you for your questions. I am a true native and advocate for the community and particularly my district. If you have additional questions, comments or concerns, please feel free to call or email me.