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We must close the achievement, opportunity and learning gap that creates a discrepancy in academic outcomes between lower income children, children of color and non-English speaking children. It is well researched that children do not learn at the same level or rate because of social-emotional and other learning barriers.  Our school district should be aware of these barriers and ensure that all students have educational opportunities for success. The learning needs and achievement of students should not be determined by Standardized test score only,although they are important, it is critically important to identify barriers that prevent overall student learning. We must address the flaws in the system that results in lower percentage of minority students enrolling in advancement placement class, a higher number of students classified as special needs, and stop more severe punishment and discipline for student of color and student with disabilities. 

We must provide high achieving student every opportunity to achieve by continuing to offer advancement placement and college courses, and yes, dedicated magnet programs are a must,let’s continue them.  

We can use data to produce a comprehensive Equity Report that include indicators or benchmarks from our strategic plans, not just some of them. We should compare the data against our indicator or benchmarks to know if we are solving problems and closing the opportunity gap. We must stop implementing changes that worsen disparities among schools and students.

We are losing teacher to neighboring district and states We say we appreciate our teacher, well let’s show that appreciation by increasing compensation to maintain them in our school district. We must begin providing ongoing cost of living and performance increases to our teachers to begin the process of correcting disparities in teacher compensation.

Bring back Summer Enrichment Programs and extended day for students. When school is out of session many parents do not have the resources to enroll their children in summer camp, thus, leaving them to their own care or in the care of a less than qualified caretaker. These programs will provide a source of enrichment and learning for students, comfort for parent knowing their child is well supervised, and a source of additional income for teacher and staff. The summer enrichment and extended day programs can operate on a sliding fee structure based on family income.

We should work to end exclusionary practices of zero-tolerance policies, in school arrest, in-school visits from probation officers, out of school suspensions and end expulsions.  Expulsions should be reserved for the most severe cases and addressed on a case-by-case basis. Invention instead of expulsion should be the philosophy.  The overarching intent is to keep students engaged, in school, and focused on learning.  Interventions foster an environment that addresses and corrects inappropriate behavior. The mantra should be “Intervention instead of Suspension/Expulsion”.

My goal of our District is to have high preforming certified teacher in every school. Teachers that are underperforming should be mentored by a more experienced teacher in the district or through a retired teachers mentorship program. School that are under achieving require corrective actions of course; this is a data-driven process that requires detail analysis and identification of root problems. The next step would be to analyze and capture school data to determine the best solutions and outcomes for schools and student.  Policies should always be data driven and focus on producing improvements within the school district. School Districts ideally function better when they identify best practices and education trends that supports improvement and success.

Failing charter school should not be allowed to continue to operate. Charters are granted to organizations to accomplish education needs that are not being currently addressed by the local school district.  If the charter schools are failing the charters should be pulled. Why condemn children to a fate worse than attending a failing district school that is working on a school improvement plan. Children cannot afford to wait 2,3,4 or 5 years attending a failing charter school or district school for that matter, before receiving an appropriate education.

I believe the board should take a closer look at re-employing an adequate number of student support staff to address the emotional and the increase numbers of student exhibiting mental health issues. Student service staff will help student overcome the emotional and physical challenges that they face. Funding must be prioritized to provide school psychologist, counselors, nurses, and substance abuse counselors based on the needs of the children not on the size of the school.

Communities are essential to the success of any system.  I will work to improve school board transparency and community collaboration that focuses on input from students, teachers, support staff, administrators, community advocates, and the business community at a minimum. My vison is that the school board and the community engage in open forums outside of work schedules, thereby permitting maximum participation of our communities and families. In part community-school board relations means meeting communities and families where they are. Thisis the only way genuine partnerships between communities and the school board can be built.

Appoint a student advocate to the school board. Policy changes and problem solving should include students impacted by school board decisions. Students should have an opportunity to be involved in policy making impacting their daily lives.

Create community based advisory committees/board comprised of parents, faith community, student service providers, recreational providers, and the business community. The community based advisory committees/board opinions and finding should be seriously considered in policies by the board. I believe our community must take ownership for the education of our children.

Contact us with your questions and concerns. We are eager to hear from everyone about what you want to see done for schools in East Baton Rouge Parish Schools in order for them all to thrive. votepamjohnson118@gmail.com or call 225-268-8989