The candidate is seeking a seat on the Detroit ISD Board of Directors.news

Q.What do you think were the main issues in the school district that led you into public office?

A. For the past three years, I have considered running for a seat on the DISD School Board. In my opinion, there have been many situations over the past three or four years that were not handled as they should have been handled by the superintendent and the school board. District-wide integrity. I don’t understand many of their actions and decisions. The only way to do so is to become an active member of the debate by running for a seat on the Board.

Q.What experiences make you feel qualified for your desired position?

aI don’t think any particular experience deserves a seat on the school board, other than that it is in the overall best interest of the district as a whole. Yes, I have two children in my school district. Their education, like that of all their peers, should be the basis for why board members serve on school boards. I consider myself a “big picture” thinker. Before returning to Red River County in 2015, 11 years with one of Tyler’s largest banks. During that time, I communicated with departments both inside and outside the company on a daily basis and carried out various tasks. It is important to be able to communicate effectively with peers to further common goals. Since 2018, I have served as Mayor of the City of Detroit. This job requires constant contact with residents, business owners, contractors, county officials, and many regulatory agencies. Working with the City Council and Mayor, I feel I have contributed to Detroit’s progress toward achieving its goals. — By planning the next steps in the process, not just today’s budget and today’s tasks.

Q.What are the district’s goals?

aMy primary goal for the Detroit School District is to increase transparency and accountability at all levels. I know many teachers and staff personally and feel that they are not respected and valued as they should be. They are the foundation of the school district, they are empowering the children in the district every day, and they are encouraged to retire or cornered for a letter of resignation instead of being begged to stay. Students are forced to follow the handbook and reprimanded if they don’t — but a lot has happened in the past three or four years involving DISD faculty — and too many situations have led to Swept under the rug without binding any particular individual accountable. District students deserve better role models and examples from those entrusted with implementing and enforcing our policies and procedures.

Q.How long have you lived in the community you intend to serve?

aMy husband and I graduated from Clarksville in 2000. After spending 15 years at Tyler, she decided that a more rural lifestyle and environment, much like the way we grew up, was the way she wanted her children to go. I moved to the Detroit area in 2015.

Q.What will you do to promote community involvement in city/school district administration?

aAs I said before, both transparency and accountability are very important to me. I also feel strongly about maintaining open communication and dialects. Many parents and grandparents in the district feel that their views are not heard or valued. They see the same thing happening over and over again with no consequences or change. No matter how many times people raise their voices, they feel deafened, ignored, and eventually give up. We understand that there are guidelines and legal actions that must be followed, but decision makers should not be allowed to apply them only when it suits them, and should not be allowed to hide behind those policies. It should not be allowed. There are many people in the district who have similar opinions, but also many who have different opinions. We are willing to speak up about what we believe, communicate effectively, listen to the opinions of others, and make individual compromises in the best interest of the entire district. just don’t mind.

Staff member David Money edited this report.