Profiles Discourage: the D.C. State Board of Education Race
The second installment of a two-part post previewing D.C.'s race for the newly reconfigured Board of Education. Read the first part here.
There are several competent and articulate candidates running in tomorrow's D.C. State Board of Education race. But what to make of this discouraging run-on sentence of gibberish and doubletalk taken from the District of Columbia Voter’s Guide?
The statement of candidate that declares my information deemed necessary to protect the qualified experiences of/and the integrity for the School Board’s Participation are the 10 years of experience Teaching in the Public Schools and the priorities which process the structure of qualified participation to support the focus of the school’s mission and accomplishments that defend the appropriate education-with rights to an adequate education.
That excerpt, from Ward 8 State Board of Education candidate Chanda McMahan, is an entertaining gem from the board race. Some argue the race is a low-stakes election for nine restructured positions with limited authority on the school board. Others have embraced the new design, which releases the board of the responsibility of day-to-day operation of schools. Candidates range from seasoned incumbents to incoherent newcomers. For many voters, all they’ll know about the candidates are what each says about themselves in a voter guide or two, though some candidates haven't offered up any info at all. And because it’s a nonpartisan election, voters won’t have the option of just connecting the arrow for their favorite party.
Photo by dcJohn
Voters who do bother to connect the arrow will select a board member from their Ward and one at-large seat (which is uncontested and will be won by Ted Trabue). Half of the Ward level races, those in Wards 1, 5, 7, and 8, are contested and require an educated voter or guess at the polls. The Washington Post issued Saturday endorsements in all races and noted the vital role the board will play in shaping academics and student learning. Loose Lips endorsed candidates based on their understanding of the board's responsibilities, and nothing else.
In the Voters Guide in last Thursday’s Post, five of the fourteen candidates in the contested races didn't even bother to take advantage of the free press. The League of Women Voters of the District of Columbia asks candidates to respond to four pointed questions, ignored by the same candidates who ignored the Post. WJLA gave each candidate the opportunity pitch themselves on TV. Links by Ward are below.
- Pamela Johnson: Determined that D.C. students “not only set the academic standard for this country, but are respected internationally, as well.” Nothing wrong with setting the bar high, but may be a stretch with only 15% of students meeting national standards in reading and math (last in the nation).
- Dotti Love Wade: Lists an impressive resume of community activities. This includes the fact that there’s a “Dotti Love Wade Day,” but claims no background in education or ideas for the board.
- Lillian Perdomo: Executive Director of a multicultural parental involvement organization claims a firm grasp of the strengths and challenges facing the education system.
- Shelore Williams: Practicing attorney, involved community servant and former Catholic school principal, college professor, and dean of students.
- Robert Brannum: The only Ward 5 candidate to bother to respond to the Post or LWV, Brannum points to his advocacy work on behalf of the United Negro College Fund, teaching experience with DC Public Schools, and time on the Ward 5 Education Council.
- Angel Sherri Alston: Promises to have “the students best interest at heart with zero tolerance for anything else.” But she doesn’t say much else.
- Mark Jones: A parent who commits “to make our school district one of the most sought after districts in the country.” We can see the families flocking to D.C. to enroll at McKinley Tech now!
- No incumbent is running in Ward 5.
- Ralph Chittams, Sr.: Stresses fairness and equity for schools across D.C.
- Cameron Poles: Borrows language from the ‘Generic Cover Letter Handbook’ in offering his “professional experiences, community advocacy, and education,” and platitudes to make his case. Poles axes “community advocacy” from his qualification statement in answering the Post, a wise move, as on that candidates must reply to their "elected offices/civil activities" query. His response of "none given" would seem to belie that claim.
- Dorothy Douglass: Highlights community activism (and backs it up), assertiveness and resolve, and politely asks voters to “strongly consider” her.
- Chanda McMahan: See above. Thankfully her 10 years of teaching experience were not in English composition.
- William Lockridge: The incumbent profiles his 20 years of service to the public schools. That includes serving as Board Vice President and chairing the Board’s Finance and Facilities Committee. Lockridge is the only incumbent running for a contested seat.
- Cardell Shelton: A beacon of unresponsiveness. Shelton is the only candidate to not even enter a profile in the official guide, let alone the supplemental materials.
- Niccola Reed: Labels herself as “an inspiring, intelligent, phenomenal Washington with great ambitions, infinite achievements and life long experiences.” Humility and bothering to reply to the Post, LWV, or WJLA are not among her infinite achievements.