A majority of seats on the Birmingham Board of Education still are up for grabs in the Oct. 3 runoff election.

BirminghamWatch asked the 10 candidates in runoffs for five seats a series of questions about their intentions toward the new school superintendent, the possibility of closing schools, their goals for city school graduates, improvements they’d like to see in city schools and the role they think the mayor and City Council should take in relation to the schools.

Races on the runoff ballot are Districts 1, 4, 5, 7 and 8.

However the vote goes, the majority of board members will change after the election. Five incumbents did not seek reelection.

Two incumbent school board members – Sandra Kelly Brown in District 9 and Cheri Gardner in District 6 – won re-election outright in voting Sept. 22. Two new members – Mary Drennen Boehm in District 3, an education volunteer and former president of A+ College Ready; and Terri Michal in District 2, a 52-year-old hospice administrator and field representative of Birmingham’s American Federation of Teachers chapter – clinched seats without a runoff.

School board candidates on Tuesday’s runoff ballot are:

• District 1: The Rev. Cedric Small, 32, and retired educator Douglas Lee Ragland, 60. Small won 37.10 percent of the vote and Ragland won 25.45 percent.
• District 5: UAB professor Michael “Mickey” Millsap, 43, and Jefferson State Community College instructor David T. McKinney, 34. Millsap took 30 percent of the vote to McKinney’s 15 percent.
• District 7: 65-year-old Patricia Spigner McAdory, a retired Birmingham City Schools teacher, and 49-year-old Walter “Big Walt” Wilson, a supervisor in the Birmingham public works department. It was in District 7 that school board President Wardine Towers Alexander failed to make the runoff. She took just 26.23 percent of the vote, while first-time candidate McAdory took 40.24 percent and Wilson, who ran for the position in 2013, had 33 percent.
• District 8: 36-year-old music and tennis instructor Sonja Q. Smith and 57-year-old Patricia Bozeman-Henderson, who is a coordinator in Birmingham municipal court. Smith got 31.44 percent of the vote to Henderson’s 30 percent.
• District 4: Incumbent Daagye Hendricks, 41, who works at UAB, and Edward Maddox, 61, the former school board president forced to resign in 2011 as part of a plea agreement related to a charge he used his office and a position with a neighborhood association for personal gain. Maddox took 46.92 percent of the vote to Hendricks’ 34.29 percent.

The majority of the sitting board – Sherman Collins, Lyord Watson, Brian Giattina, Randall Woodfin, and April Williams – did not seek reelection. Woodfin lead the Birmingham mayor’s race and faces Mayor William Bell in Tuesday’s runoff. Collins lost in his bid for a City Council seat.

Three runoff candidates – both District 4 candidates, Hendricks and Maddox, and District 7 candidate Wilson – did not provide answers to the questions posed by BirminghamWatch.

 

1. Would you plan to give the new superintendent five years to institute a new plan to improve schools? Or not?

Douglas Lee Ragland (D1):

I plan to provide the superintendent at least five years to institute a new plan to improve schools because as a retired school superintendent, I understand the importance of that time element to truly plan, develop and implement results. Our school system needs stability at that level to achieve consistent and world-class results. If we do not give the superintendent a long-range plan, this will be detrimental financially to the district and the superintendent’s position will become a revolving door and a pillar of inconsistency, thus decimating our children’s future.

 

Cedric Small (D1):

One of the many things I believe is holding our school system back is the short tenure we’ve had with the superintendent’s position. I will offer stability within the Board of Education and work with our current superintendent, Dr. (Lisa) Herring, to help keep our superintendent honest and make sure that our students’ and educators’ best interests are at the forefront of every decision made. In doing so, we, the future Board of Education, will provide the stability our students and educators need to succeed as a school system.

 

David McKinney (D5):

I cannot place a time on how long it will take to improve the school system.  I will be looking at the goals and the procedures that are implemented to improve the school system. I will work with the superintendent to make sure the goals are implemented effectively and are accurately assessed and measured.  The plan should be in place within a year and the level of success should be fully evaluated in three years. Stability and consistency will be what to look for in the plans from the superintendent and the school board.

 

Michael “Mickey Millsap (D5):

My goal is for Dr. Herring to be our superintendent for five years and beyond. Certainly, there may be some unforeseen circumstance that changes this plan, but I believe we need to have strong and consistent leadership at the top if we are going to succeed as a system. On a personal level, I am committed to developing a positive working relationship with Dr. Herring and to giving her the time and resources to evaluate current operations, identify needed fixes and set a vision for the future. It is imperative that we end the revolving door of leadership at the top.

 

Patricia Spigner McAdory (D7):

I am not familiar with the superintendent’s contract and would have to review it to evaluate the terms of her employment and goals. However, a plan should be implemented to ensure the success of our school system.

 

 

 

 

 

Patricia Bozeman-Henderson (D8):

I personally do not know if it would take that long but, if it does, yes. I am willing to give her that much time as long as we see her plans leading to good results for the Birmingham City School System.

 

 

 

 

Sonja Q. Smith (D8):

I’m planning to give our superintendent the time she feels is needed to improve our schools. One of the problems we have is too many non-educators imposing unrealistic expectations on our school system and writing educational policy.

 

 

 

2. Are you prepared to adopt a long-term facilities plan that could mean closing underused schools, even if these are in your district?

Douglas Lee Ragland (D1):

Yes. The financial and academic implications must be absolutely considered before closing any facilities that are underused in the district. I understand the value and convenience of neighborhood schools, and my role as a board member will be to study all of the information recommended by the superintendent and determine whether the fiscal aspects outweigh the concerns of the community and most importantly the quality of education provided to the students. In an effort to fully address this question, I must have real data in terms of rationales, planning, vision, impact, community engagement input and short and long-range results.

 Cedric Small (D1): 

School closures are never popular, however, as a potential board member my goal is to always operate in the best interest of the student, staff and local community. As a board member, I will work to make BSCS the school system of choice. By engaging students, keeping parents informed, equipping our educators with needed skills and resources and encouraging community involvement, (the system) will appeal to a broader audience, thus increasing the student population and ensuring “underused schools” is no longer an issue.

David McKinney (D5):

Unfortunately, this is a reality that must be addressed, but must be addressed in a sensitive manner to the needs of our children and the community.

Michael “Mickey” Millsap (D5):

There is no question that one of the biggest challenges to our system is declining enrollment. When enrollment falls, so does system revenue. My first priority is to spend time in our community listening to the ideas of our students, teachers, and families. If we can work together to improve outcomes across the system and reverse enrollment decline, then the need for school closures/consolidation becomes moot.

Patricia Stigner McAdory (D7):

I am willing to work to secure an effective plan of management for the entire school district.

Patricia Bozeman-Henderson (D8):  

Yes, but only after speaking to my neighborhood people, council member and legislator. If they agree there is nothing that they could do to save the school, at that time I would consider it.

Sonja Q. Smith (D8):

Developing a long-term facilities plan starts with our superintendent. The role of a school board member includes writing policy and supporting our superintendent’s vision. I will support our superintendent’s vision, but if anything, my district needs at least one elementary school in the Ensley community and I will fight to see that happen. Schools are recruiting factors for growing cities; I want us to have the schools needed to support residential growth throughout Birmingham.

 

3. What skills should a Birmingham City Schools high school student have mastered before graduation?

Douglas Lee Ragland (D1):

(1) The ability to read, comprehend and infer in regards to any narrative or text,  (2) An excellent command of the English language, (3) Excellent proficiency in the core subjects of math, science, social studies, and English and reading as mentioned above, (4) Completion of a Career Ready Plan designed for student success in the beginning stages of high school, (5) Passage of the college entrance exams such as the American College Test (ACT) with a passing score commensurate with the eligibility requirement of the University the student plans to attend, and (6) Passage of all core courses and electives needed for graduation to pursue college, military, business/industry workforce needs, which in essence is being college and career ready.

Cedric Small (D1):

In order to ensure that every high school senior student is college or career ready, our students should be proficient in areas of reading, math and science. The students should possess effective verbal and nonverbal communication skills and have a working knowledge of technology and varying operating systems.

David McKinney (D5):

There are so many skills high school students should master before graduation but I will highlight what I consider to be mandatory skills. These are reading and math (the gateways into all other learning), communication skills and academic writing (being able to research and write an essay explaining a topic). I have been a professor for over 10 years and communication skills are absolutely needed in the real world. Also important are life skills, like time and financial management, and technology skills to compete in a technology-driven world.

Michael “Mickey” Millsap (D5):

The goal of any education system is to provide students with the skills they need to be college and career ready. Unfortunately, there is no “one size fits all” definition for every student. The idea of college and career ready is further complicated by the changing nature of our economy and the skills students need to be successful in a 21^st century economy. While we should certainly demand that all students receiving a diploma are on grade-level in reading and math, we must set the bar even higher – being “proficient” is not enough if our students are going to compete with their counterparts across the country for well-paying and satisfying jobs. This means we must continue to invest (in) STEM education, but also give students with varying interests opportunities to pursue areas like the visual and musical arts. One area where we are seeing progress is in the development of the career academies. These academies represent a good start, but we must continue to examine the curriculum and be sure that they are delivering results that increase opportunities for students.

 Patricia Stigner McAdory (D7):

All students should be taught skills from the Alabama Course of Study. Moreover, our students must be prepared to live in a diverse population and to succeed in a global society.

Patricia Bozeman-Henderson (D8):

Students graduating Birmingham schools should be able to write a term paper for college, be able to do math, in case they wanted to go into business for themselves, and be proficient in reading and comprehension, so they can comprehend and understand.

Sonja Q. Smith (D8):

A BCS student needs to master whatever skills are needed for them to be a successful and productive member of society in their next stage of life.  I do not believe any student should be pigeon-holed any more than an adult should. So, if a child wants to be a welder, they need to have the skills needed to enter a welding program and/or career upon graduation. If a child wants to attend college, they need the skills needed to attend and graduate from college.

 

4. What are three things that most need to improve in the BCS system?

 Douglas Lee Ragland (D1):

Fiscal management, collaborative leadership and academic improvement. In fiscal management, we need at least five months of operational reserves equating to 85 million dollars to provide students, teachers, and administrators with the necessary resources to become a world class school system. By collaboration, we need leadership that works in conjunction with initiatives, desires and needs of the superintendent, parents, and stakeholders, all geared towards the best interests of children. Academic improvement means all students have highly qualified and certified teachers in every grade and classroom, to raise student achievement exponentially, eliminate failing schools, and provide our students with an education where they can not only be competitive globally, but become productive citizens in society and give back to their respective communities.

Cedric Small, District (D1):

First, we need to change the conversation and perception as it pertains to the school system as a whole. Secondly, we need to end the revolving door of the superintendent’s position. Third, we need to improve our test scores by engaging our students and making sure educators are equipped with needed skills.

David McKinney (D5):

I am a seasoned educator and I have graduate studies in educational leadership. I believe the three things most needed for improvement are leadership, accountability and partnership. Strong leadership from the superintendent and the school board is crucial in the success of all the children in the school system. Secondly, we need accountability from the superintendent and the school board to ensure that the needs of the community and the children are at the forefront of every decision. Lastly, community partnerships are needed to help improve our school system and prepare our children for the 21^st century. Partnerships with community leaders, businesses and non-profit organizations will ensure that everyone in the community is working on the behalf of every child in the school system.

Michael “Mickey” Millsap (D5):

We must become better listeners. This means creating direct channels of communication to the people who matter most – students, teachers, and families. I will make it a priority to make myself accessible to individuals across the system who want to voice concerns, share successes, or offer ideas. We must develop communication structures that encourage feedback and improvement across the system. Next, we need to promote a culture of innovation at all levels. We need to create an environment where teachers are celebrated for having great ideas and rewarded for outstanding performance. We need to create schools where students are energized and teachers walk through the doors excited about sharing knowledge with their students.

Finally, we need to have stability in our leadership. The superintendent position has been a revolving door and that has to stop. But this goes beyond the top job. We must invest in our principals and assistant principals to give them the skills and resources they need to be successful school leaders. If we have strong leadership that values students, teachers, and families, we will see success in our schools.

Patricia Spigner McAdory (D7):

Open communication, more effective policy and fiscal management and an emphasis on qualified personnel and effective curriculum. To address these, I support creating an advisory committee of students, parents and teachers to voice concerns and issues facing the school system and establishing and adhering to policies to ensure that our school system runs effectively. And, we must ensure that we place the right people in the right positions, based on credentials and qualifications, and put effective curriculum in place to address the needs of the learner and correct academic deficiencies.

Patricia Bozeman-Henderson (D8):

Transparency, accountability and parental involvement.

Sonja Q. Smith (D8):

Community support and involvement: It will take our entire community to improve the BCS system. That includes donations of time, talents, and money from churches, businesses, neighborhood associations and the general public, regardless of having students in Birmingham City Schools. 

Equality: We need a more equal distribution of school support, teacher resources, and student exposure across the system.

Educational equity: We must rethink our approach to educating the entire child and taking into account any external forces affecting their success.  We need to institute policies and implement curriculum from a place of fairness and inclusion.

 

5. What do you see as the role of the Birmingham mayor and City Council in working with the school board and system?

 Douglas Lee Ragland (D1):

The role of the mayor and city council members in working with the school board and system is one of a supportive and inclusive nature in terms of providing financial support as well as being accessible in schools in providing particular needs for their respective districts and being visible to parents, teachers and stakeholders as a listener and partaker in achieving educational success.

Cedric Small (D1):

Partnership is vital in the role of an elected official. I will build relationships with the mayor’s office and City Council members to ensure they are consistently informed of the BCS student, parent and educator needs. Working together, the Board of Education, mayor’s office and City Council will set a positive example for our students.

 David McKinney (D5):

Birmingham has a bright future.  A lot of innovation is coming to the city.  It is important that our school system be a part of this innovation. Good communication between the mayor, City Council and school board is needed to improve our school system. The mayor and council approve a specific amount of money from the city that is allocated by the school board. It is important that the mayor, council members and the school board are working as a team for education, which will ultimately lead to great community citizens.

Michael “Mickey” Millsap (D5):

It is critical that the mayor, City Council, and school board have a positive working relationship – something that has been lacking in recent history. Fostering better communication is essential to getting the resources we need to successfully educate our kids. It is common knowledge that the city of Birmingham gives significantly less money to its school system than other urban districts. I will make it a priority to work closely with our city leaders to communicate our needs and to share with them the successes in our system that make new funding a wise investment.

 Patricia Spigner McAdory (D7):

I believe that it takes a village to raise a child and, to that end, we must include the city government, the business community, our non-profits and all stakeholders working cooperatively to help ensure our children’s future.

Patricia Bozeman-Henderson (D8):

The mayor and council members can help us by informing the board and superintendent of any grants or monies that we may apply to receive for the school system.

Sonja Q. Smith (D8):

The mayor and City Council are responsible for working in harmony to fund and support quality public education in the safest environment possible for our children.