Over the past four years, I have worked diligently to help Columbus City Schools get it ACTS together. As a member and current vice president, I have used a common sense approach to develop and enact policy that strengthen our schools.
Accountability
“We each have to do our part—and do it very well”
-James Kouzes and Barry Posner
- Hold the District accountable for properly tracking and reporting student performance and attendance;
- Create a District surplus or “rainy day” fund that limits the need for tax levies;
- Ensure public and private partnership organizations remain accountable to providing the best support possible to our Columbus City Schools;
- Demand a District culture of compassion and excellence in staff and student performance
Curriculum
“Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel.”
– Socrates
- “Raise the Bar” for our students with more rigorous classes and homework assignments;
- Reward our students by keeping good teachers and principals in their school buildings;
- Increase teacher support through intercollegiate partnerships that put more graduate students in our classrooms;
- Offer certifications, apprenticeships, service learning and/or college credit options for students through community partnerships.
Transparency
“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.”
-Benjamin Franklin
- Eliminate waste with options like “Zero Base Budgeting” the make the budget process more inclusive;
- Create building “Impact Teams” within our schools that help parents and students become better informed, engaged and connected to their schools and local resources;
- Establish a “School Pride Citywide” campaign that sets goals towards an A or B rating in all schools.
Safety
“For safety is not a gadget but a state of mind.”
-Eleanor Everet
- Ensure on duty police officers are assigned to District buildings to protect and educate our children;
- Work with first-responders to implement emergency plans that address violence, natural disasters etc.;
- Encourage student and staff activism against bullying with “Peer-to-Peer” mentoring and service projects.