Atlanta Election 2025: Q&As with Atlanta Board of Education candidates

Rough Draft sent questionnaires to all the candidates who officially qualified for the City of Atlanta municipal balloting on Nov These are the responses we have received so far from the candidates running for the Atlanta Board of Learning This post will be updated if when we receive additional responses Early voting begins Oct and closes Oct See a list of early voting locations in both Fulton and DeKalb counties here To check your voter registration visit the GA My Voter Page District Dr Stephen Owensowensforaps com OwensforAPS StephenJOwens Parents are concerned about foreseen school closures consolidations and redistricting in the APS Forward plan Would you commit to waiting on a final vote until after new board members are sworn in YES Having the vote after the balloting but before new members are sworn in smells fishy If we re going to be making complicated decisions about the future of this district then school board members either need to vote before the electoral contest and face the voters or wait until new members are seated in January What policies does your district need to protect students from prospective gun violence in schools We must keep kids safe but I feel we run the pitfall of ignoring the cost of high- stakes intruder drills on children s hearts I get it we re in a state and nation that refuses to curb gun sales so we have to treat schools like vaults We also must weigh the impact on our children and parents that get caught in the middle of this terrible debate Definitively in matter I haven t made myself clear our state advocates like the Georgia School Board Association need to lobby the state lawmakers for gun transformation so our schools aren t left holding all the responsibility for these horrors What policies should be in place regarding equipment like AI cell phones etc use in the classroom How do we protect students educational futures while equipping them with the knowledge to use these technologies effectively I m personally terrified of AI and the impact it s having on our learners as well as the ecosystem writ large Large language models are consistently wrong and to treat these things like tutors is to devalue our hard-working teachers We need to make sure every educator knows the risks of relying on AI models to plan lessons and ensure that an expert sees every material before it goes before our students or parents Students also need to learn the mental strength and cognitive dangers of using AI models in place of real public or learning APS requirements to negotiate with this device from a place of strength by beginning from a place assuming that there is no true replacement for the connection between an educator the novice and the material How can agenda in your district protect marginalized students from disparities in academic performance We can broaden the net for whom is eligible for honors courses in middle school by relying on more than the current gifted class roster which skews towards white and richer communities see automatic enrollment for advanced coursework policies like what they do in Dallas ISD for example Also we can significantly reduce the use of exclusionary discipline practices in the early grades so we don t set kids into the school to prison pipeline see Charlotte-Mecklenburg s suspension protocol that reduced primary grades suspensions with ZERO negative effect to classroom discipline But we need to be honest about the fact that we live in a city with the highest income inequality in the nation in a state with zero social safety net making it incredibly cruel to be poor in a nation that refuses to recognize the continued harms of systemic racism and classism Let s not blame schools because our society pushes Black and Brown kids off a cliff and then punishes them for hitting the bottom What strategies can your district utilize to attract and retain high- quality teachers Pay them more Tony Mitchell mitchellforatlanta com mitchellforatlanta Parents are concerned about possible school closures consolidations and redistricting in the APS Forward plan Would you commit to waiting on a final vote until after new board members are sworn in Considering the society voice should be an essential part of any plan that has impact on aspirant outcomes and family decisions Any plan around closures should conscious of that voice weighing the short and long term impacts these shifts may have on the neighborhood infrastructure While this decision rests on the current board my hope would be that it isn t rushed and reflects immediate stakeholders it impacts in statistics and in feedback What policies does your district need to protect students from expected gun violence in schools Protecting students from foreseen gun violence requires more than school measure it demands community-rooted solutions It requires us to take into consideration the systemic root that allows this issue bud in our classrooms This means creating interventions that address scholar social and behavioral wellbeing in addition to restorative discipline practices that create lines of sponsorship to very kids who need them The district should also broaden its capital in region violence intervention CVI by leveraging trusted local voices and organizations that bring credibility through shared experience and deep neighborhood knowledge Partnerships with these groups not only help curb violence through tested alternative approaches but also expand wraparound services mentorship and long-term family encouragement When students see their district invested in their future they rise to meet that belief Embedding these partnerships into the APS framework fosters trust strengthens school-community ties and creates meaningful opportunities such as workforce training and career pathways By positioning schools as hubs for both safety and advance we shift narratives around what is practicable for our scholars What policies should be in place regarding innovation like AI cell phones etc use in the classroom How do we protect students educational futures while equipping them with the knowledge to use these technologies effectively District policies should guide students to use machinery in avenues that patronage learning while protecting their focus and safety Cell phone use should be limited during class with exceptions for emergencies or approved lessons Artificial intelligence and other digital tools should be allowed for supervised learning but students must be taught to question results and avoid overreliance Policies should also protect participant evidence and only approve safe platforms To prepare students for the future digital literacy should be part of the curriculum and teachers should receive training so they can model and guide responsible use of system in schools How can initiative in your district protect marginalized students from disparities in academic performance Atlanta can reduce gaps in aspirant achievement by putting more support where they are needed preponderance Schools with higher numbers of low-income multilingual and disabled students should receive extra funding and patronage Strong early literacy programs with universal screening and targeted help give all children a solid start Frequent small-group tutoring in math and reading is another proven way to help students catch up Discipline policies should focus on restorative practices instead of suspensions so students do not lose valuable learning time Opportunities for advanced courses should be open to all students through universal screening automatic enrollment and removing blockades like test fees The district should also close the digital divide by ensuring families have access to the internet and devices and provide quality after-school and summer learning Eventually progress must be tracked with clear citizens statistics so families and communities can hold the system accountable What strategies can your district utilize to attract and retain high-quality teachers To attract and keep high-quality teachers a district requirements to focus on both encouragement and stability Competitive pay and benefits are pivotal but so is making sure teachers feel valued and respected That means giving them strong mentoring when they start ongoing coaching and real chances to grow into leadership roles without leaving the classroom Reducing class sizes providing planning time and offering high-quality materials also make the job more manageable District Jennifer McDonald jenforaps Parents are concerned about expected school closures consolidations and redistricting in the APS Forward plan Would you commit to waiting on a final vote until after new board members are sworn in As the current Vice Chair and serving my fourth year on the Board of Mentoring I know that working with the Superintendent and the society is critical to understanding impact Area feedback is essential and invariably will be My responsibility is to listen and then know how and when to advocate That is exactly what I have spent time doing and speaking to the Superintendent virtually every single day to voice concerns from the public as well as my own valid and legitimate concerns regarding these various scenarios Advocacy is not making empty promises on a stage but it is having the feedback infrastructure and the relationships to move the needle I am grateful to Dr Johnson and his squad for listening intently to the parents taxpayers as well as the concerns I elevated I appreciate that my request for an accelerated timeline to share updates was delivered and the Population Task Force meeting was moved from October to September That is incredibly considerable I also appreciate that my request to this instant share the updates with the community the minute the Society Task Force meeting ended was also delivered in fact the new scenarios were shared when that meeting started The suggested idea to do nothing in these scenarios does not reflect the input coming from different areas of our society and sounds irresponsible I appreciate the four years I have served I appreciate the deeper public ties it has provided that are even broader than my straight years of leadership roles developed The group needed advocacy now not in January and I took that responsibility very seriously It is hard for a area to work in an conditions with so much angst and unknown I would not be able to agree to aid an idea that elongated that angst and discomfort The feedback from the population since the announcement and update on September has been tremendous What policies does your district need to protect students from expected gun violence in schools Keeping our kids safe is a top priority As an APS parent since this has dependably been the incident as a parent and now as a current Board member APS already has several policies and measures in place regarding gun violence and weapons on school grounds Key aspects often detailed in their Candidate Code of Conduct and Board Policies include Prohibition of Weapons APS policies generally prohibit students and non-students from possessing using or distributing weapons in a school location Pupil Discipline for Firearms The APS Pupil Code of Conduct defines clear disciplinary actions for weapons Notably an APS document indicates that students unveiled to have a loaded firearm on school property will be permanently expelled from Atlanta Community Schools a change from previous policies that allowed a range of discipline up to expulsion Secure Storage Guidelines The Atlanta Board of Instruction passed a resolution promoting the safe and responsible storage of firearms by parents and families This commits the district to increase efforts to inform stakeholders about the importance of secure firearm storage unloaded locked and separate from ammunition Reporting Mechanisms APS encourages immediate reporting of safety concerns They provide options for anonymous reporting such as Directly reporting to the School Administration and the APS Safety and Shield Department Using anonymous reporting options like Say Something Sandy Hook Promise and the School Safety Hotline GA Dept of Teaching Threat Assessment APS utilizes teams which may include administrators APS officers circumstance managers and counselors to conduct a threat assessment if a aspirant makes a threat in person or online Following an assessment a aspirant and their family may be required to attend a re-entry meeting to provide information and help change behavior Compliance with State Law APS operates within the framework of Georgia state laws that prohibit the possession of a weapon in a school safety zone which covers greater part weapons including firearms within feet of a school What policies should be in place regarding equipment like AI cell phones etc use in the classroom How do we protect students educational futures while equipping them with the knowledge to use these technologies effectively APS now has a agenda regarding the use of personal electronic devices PEDs including cell phones during the instructional day The agenda which has been reinforced for the - school year aims to promote a focused and safe learning context and includes key points Instructional Day Prohibition The use of cell phones and other PEDs is forbidden for all students at all times during the instructional day This includes class time lunch periods and class changes Devices must be turned off and kept out of sight High School Students The possession of PEDs is considered a privilege for high school students but it is only permitted before and after the official school day During the school day devices must be off and out of sight unless a school administrator gives specific approval Elementary and Middle School Students Students in elementary and middle school are generally not allowed to possess cell phones or other PEDs on school property or on the school bus with exceptions for documented anatomical or other special circumstances approved by the principal Consequences for Violations The protocol outlines disciplinary actions for violations which can include the confiscation of the device and a fine For a first violation the device will be returned to a parent or legal guardian after a fine is paid and a conference is held Subsequent violations can lead to the loss of the privilege of possessing a device on school property for a full calendar year and a higher fine Crisis Situations The prohibition on cell phone use includes crisis situations unless a scholar is directed to use the device by an APS employee or in an extreme threat to wellness or safety where no school official is present School-Specific Implementation While the district has a universal initiative individual schools are given chosen autonomy in how they implement and enforce it Certain schools like Sutton Midtown High and Maynard Jackson High have opted to use lockable pouches such as Yondr pouches to store students phones during the school day Future Changes A new state law in Georgia will take effect in the summer of which will officially prohibit cell phone use for students in grades K- APS s initiative is in line with this upcoming act At the same time APS already has a strategy that addresses the use of AI by students though it is often integrated within broader policies on academic integrity and innovation use The district s approach is not to outright ban AI but to guide its responsible and ethical use Artificial intelligence is increasingly influencing the workforce society and teaching To ensure APS students and staff are future-ready it s essential to understand AI and use it responsibly and ethically The motto of the Department of Instructional Instrument Focus on the task not the tool reinforces the belief that learning comes first and foremost Any use of equipment no matter the tool should facilitate augment and or transform a learning experience Atlanta General Schools encourages the use of AI to personalize learning and foster creativity This information provided here is intended as a pool and does not represent District strategy How can program in your district protect marginalized students from disparities in academic performance APS has acknowledged its persistent achievement gaps particularly between racial and socioeconomic groups and has an existing Equity Strategy and Office of Equity Social Justice There are so a multitude of components to this but we know effective initiative must reinforce and operationalize these commitments Framework must also continue to ensure that support are strategically deployed to schools with the highest requirements often measured by poverty levels and historical underperformance prioritizing equity over simple equality This includes a number of components like equitable reserve allocation and staffing weighted attendee funding formula equitable access to rigorous courses high expectations for all multi-tiered systems of sponsorship access to wraparound services holistic apprentice services ongoing commitment to social emotional learning and disciplinary equity and elimination of exclusionary practices What strategies can your district utilize to attract and retain high-quality teachers I was very proud to encouragement the incredibly significant landmark decision for APS to raise professor pay by on average beginning in the - school year This is the largest educator pay increase in the district s history APS knows the teachers are the heart of the district and we have bigger goals to continue to increase pay to by The new starting salary approved by the Board of Training has made APS one of the highest-paying districts for new teachers in the state of Georgia The compensation budget was increased by nearly million through a combination of salary schedule adjustments and one-time stipends The compensation strategy also included specific investments to attract and retain specialized teachers High-Needs Subject Areas Stipends and increased pay were directed toward teachers in high-needs subject areas including Special Schooling Math Dual Language Immersion ESOL English Speakers of Other Languages Advanced Placement AP Instruction High-Needs Schools Additional financial investments and stipends were designated for teachers and staff in schools defined as high-needs based on poverty levels as a strategy for equitable staffing In a follow-up action for the - school year APS also approved substantial raises for other essential frontline employees Pay Raise Bus drivers custodians and paraprofessionals received a wage increase Nurses School nurses received field adjustments for Registered Nurses for Licensed Practical Nurses These compensation changes reflect a concentrated effort by APS to improve facilitator morale attract high-quality educators and recognize the entire workforce as critical to scholar success We also know it is critically crucial that we attract high-quality candidates retain top performers invest in leadership opportunities grow talent and skills create strong mentor environments and foster a supportive school way of life in all of our schools District Jonathan Leon drleonforaps com Parents are concerned about prospective school closures consolidations and redistricting in the APS Forward plan Would you commit to waiting on a final vote until after new board members are sworn in As an APS dad who sends his son to the neighborhood school every day I know how unsettling talk of closures or redistricting can be I ve seen how swiftly anxiety spreads when parents worry that their schools will be impacted Serving on the Facilities Planning Committee I ve watched families and educators pour their concerns into every session and I will bring that same care to this vote Count on me to be about advocacy and accountability I will answer the group s call for deeper engagement before a decision is made This isn t a delay for its own sake it s justice and equity in action Parents deserve full transparency and a chance for the leaders they elected to weigh in That means hosting more society forums and a commitment to deeper engagement and participatory governance It means sharing all relevant information publicly and rebuilding trust with families before any decision is made Together as a district of believers inspired by Dr Crim s legacy we will find a answer that honors every voice What policies does your district need to protect students from probable gun violence in schools Every morning when I send my sons off to class I want them stepping into classrooms full of hope not fear As a father and former APS trainer I ve seen how critical a safe supportive circumstances is for learning Protecting our students means having a comprehensive strategy We will expand mental fitness and counseling sponsorship even adding school-based clinics so students get help before problems escalate I will also ensure every APS campus has a trauma-informed trained school store officer Working with society partners we ll bolster safety with secure entry vestibules cameras and clear lockdown plans so any threat can be stopped promptly As a former classroom facilitator I know safety isn t just about locks and cameras it s also about heritage I endorsement strengthening restorative practices in schools so conflicts are resolved before they turn dangerous building trust between students teachers and staff Our schools should be sanctuaries of learning I will fight tirelessly to keep our schools gun-free and every parent s mind at ease What policies should be in place regarding equipment like AI cell phones etc use in the classroom How do we protect students educational futures while equipping them with the knowledge to use these technologies effectively As an APS dad former trainer and training procedures expert I ve seen how innovation can both empower learning and create distractions In nowadays s classrooms we must strike the right balance equip students with st-century skills while managing tech use We will continue APS s new approach requiring phones to be off during class enforcing it so every school day is focused Meanwhile we ll work to expand tech literacy and close the tech literacy gap computer science and AI modules in every grade coding clubs digital citizenship lessons and after-school tech clubs This is a perfect opportunity for a partnership Teachers will get training and assistance tech coaches and workshops to use these tools creatively We will also improve access provide loaner laptops to students in need strengthen school Wi-Fi and partner with area groups to offer free home internet Every step will be guided by our core values of love justice and equity so that all students benefit equally from mechanism In short we lock away distractions during class while opening doors to digital opportunity protecting our students guidance currently and equipping them to thrive the day after After all students in every APS school deserve the same chance to learn and innovate and we ll keep it How can protocol in your district protect marginalized students from disparities in academic performance I grew up hearing stories of my grandfather who left Georgia because Jim Crow held him back He concluded mentoring was the key to a better life and the present day I fight to make that true for every APS child Atlanta s marginalized students face unacceptable achievement gaps and we need targeted policies and programs to close them We must invest early to expand quality Pre-K and early literacy programs in our schools so children arrive in kindergarten ready to learn We will ensure every scholar has an individualized success plan and provide targeted tutoring where it s needed We ll backing our school communities with wraparound services like in-school counseling medical assistance and food programs so no child s necessities go unmet We must also overhaul discipline I will fully adopt restorative practices to keep students engaged in class We ll train teachers in cultural competency and regularly track details so no group falls behind We will direct extra support to the schools that need them majority of for example by funding literacy coaches and extra tutoring in our lowest performing schools so that zip code doesn t determine destiny Ultimately this is about equity making sure every APS child truly has a fair shot at success This work is personal As an APS parent and public member I will fight for these changes with every ounce of my ability What strategies can your district utilize to attract and retain high-quality teachers We will hire teachers we trust and trust them to teach That s more than a slogan it s a philosophy that drives how I believe APS must aid educators As a former APS educator I know the best teaching doesn t come from endless mandates or one-size-fits-all directives It comes from empowering talented educators with the training guidance and respect they need to do their best work To reach APS s ambitious goal of K average salaries we can t stop at pay alone We must invest in practice That means dedicated stipends for professional maturation so teachers can continually sharpen their craft without dipping into their own pockets It means robust mentorship for new teachers time built into the schedule for collaboration and meaningful pathways for leadership expansion We will build strong partnerships with local universities not only to strengthen the tutor pipeline but also to connect educators with cutting-edge research and practical innovations in teaching APS classrooms should be places where teachers can pilot and scale creative approaches to literacy math and deeper learning By linking classroom practice with university expertise we ensure APS becomes a hub of educational innovation not just compliance And at last we will honor teachers by trusting their voices in decision making when educators know they are supported respected and given room to grow they stay By combining competitive pay professional progress and trust we will create the conditions where great teachers choose APS and remain here for the long haul District Royce Mann royceforatl com Parents are concerned about likely school closures consolidations and redistricting in the APS Forward plan Would you commit to waiting on a final vote until after new board members are sworn in I would fully endorsement a move by the current board to delay a final vote until after new members are sworn in Like several I feel frustrated that the inaction of previous district leadership has left us in the position that we are in and I have advocated to ensure that the long range facilities planning process be transparent and guided by the communities that will be the greater part affected by the proposed scenarios Unfortunately it is evident that there is a lack of trust in the process and this is for good reason APS already has dozens of vacant or under-utilized properties countless of which used to be schools The district s failure to effectively repurpose these properties has created distrust in its ability to repurpose any schools that would close under the current scenarios I will work to rebuild trust by listening closely to families educators and society members and I will advocate to ensure any schools that close are repurposed in solutions that continue to serve our families whether through participant and family help hubs early learning sites tutoring centers or vocational guidance programs Conclusively I will invariably favor efforts to attract students back to our general schools over proposals to close or repurpose schools Underenrolled schools create real issues but instead of exclusively closing them we should work to expand innovative and exciting programs and aim to make our masses schools the best option for every family This should include the opening of an arts magnet high school and a STEM magnet high school along with supporting International Baccalaureate IB certification at more schools What policies does your district need to protect students from probable gun violence in schools As a co-founder and former Legislative Director for the Georgia chapter of March for Our Lives I have extensive experience advocating for gun violence prevention mental wellness promotion and safer schools On the board I will remain committed to addressing the root causes of violence in our schools To do this I will work to double the number of counselors in our schools expand school-based mental fitness services and partner with organizations like Chris to bring trained violence intervention specialists into our schools I also backing a restorative approach to school discipline that centers evidence-based and trauma-informed practices to address conflict and promote healthier behaviors Lastly I will continue advocating under the gold dome for policies that keep our communities safe including safe storage laws and universal background checks on all gun purchases What policies should be in place regarding machinery like AI cell phones etc use in the classroom How do we protect students educational futures while equipping them with the knowledge to use these technologies effectively I sponsorship a ban on the use of cellphones during instructional time with exceptions to allow for teachers to integrate the use of equipment into relevant lesson plans We should look to limit the role of cellphones and Artificial Intelligence in classrooms while recognizing that we will be unable to thoroughly eliminate the role that hardware plays in students lives Instead we can integrate AI and other instrument in certain lesson plans and assignments to help students learn how to use this machinery responsibly Specifically I encouragement the implementation of a one-semester life skills program for all high school students which would include lessons on the responsible use of system and social media How can framework in your district protect marginalized students from disparities in academic performance At the moment there is a roughly sixty-point gap in proficiency between white students and Black students in APS across content areas This is unacceptable and it is in no way a reflection of our students abilities Rather this gap demonstrates the district s failure to adequately address the demands of all students As your school board member I will prioritize directing support to schools with the greatest need To do this I will push to increase the poverty weight in the district s funding formula to ensure more assistance for students from low-income backgrounds advocate for financial incentives to attract high-performing teachers to low-performing schools and leverage district partnerships to sponsorship under-resourced schools and communities I will also work to increase wraparound services with the goal of opening a Aspirant and Family Sponsorship Hub in each cluster and to expand access to high-quality affordable Pre-K and childcare through utilizing empty classrooms and vacant district-owned properties By monitoring trainee performance evidence supporting evidence-based interventions and fostering neighborhood partnerships we can close achievement gaps and improve outcomes for all students What strategies can your district utilize to attract and retain high-quality teachers Like in any profession teachers need assistance to continually improve and this promotion must go beyond good wages They need our resources to help them grow and progress in the profession To achieve this I will promotion expanded mentorship programs for new teachers initiatives to promote the sharing and implementation of best practices across schools and capital to help more teachers receive their National Board Certification I will also patronage the expansion of proven approaches including co-teaching models that foster greater collaboration amongst teachers At last I will work to increase mental medical sponsorship and wraparound services to help alleviate the burden we place on our teachers By investing in help staff including counselors social workers college advisors and paraprofessionals we can ensure our teachers can focus their full attention on improving academic outcomes and building healthy and inclusive learning environments MORE POLL COVERAGE Atlanta Ballot Q As with Atlanta City Council candidates Atlanta Polling Q As with Mayoral and City Council President candidates The post Atlanta Polling Q As with Atlanta Board of Teaching candidates appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta