In an effort to help voters prepare for the Nov. 7 elections, Atlanta Loop sent questions to candidates running for Atlanta City Council, Atlanta Mayor and Atlanta School Board. Early voting begins Oct. 16. To see district maps, click here. Note: This Q&A was received after our Sept. 18 deadline to submit answers. We will not run any new Q&A’s after Oct. 16. 

1) Why are you running for Atlanta School Board?

I believe that nothing can be accomplished without the foundation of a solid education and will serve as a sounding board for Atlanta’s future youth for many years to come even long after my candidacy.

2) What makes you a better candidate than your opponents? 

I will fight to protect education rights, structure and policies with the support and help of my community, friends, parents and students as I know without question that hard work, perseverance and strength will enable the ability to empower youth through the building blocks of education.

3) What do you think is Atlanta Schools’ greatest strength? 

Student involvement.

4) What do you think is Atlanta Schools’ biggest challenge? 

Charter versus public schools in terms of low performance and learning.

5) How would you address what you feel is Atlanta Schools’ biggest challenge?

Knowing that part of the role as a school board member is to serve as an advocate for fair education rights, structure and policies with the support of the Superintendent, keeping in mind that casting a single critical decision vote among peers will impact the community, city, state and nation as a whole.

6) What are the top two or three things you plan to focus on during your term as an elected official?

a) Faithfully serve and support the people within District 2 as an Atlanta BOE member.
b) Look at and review areas of opportunities of charter versus public schools with low performance in order to determine and provide solutions for learning.
c) Ensure that students, teachers and parents have a voice, are heard and are being treated fairly within the system.

7) What is your opinion of the current superintendent? Are you happy with her leadership or do you want the school system to go in a different direction? 

There are some issues that the community of district 2 have raised that are rather concerning. My goal is to primarily focus on requiring the support of the Superintendent regardless of what individual is in that role in order to bridge and resolve areas of opportunities.

8) If elected, do you promise to conduct yourself in an ethical and transparent manner?

Yes