Dismayed by council’s lack of due diligence in school board selection
Months before my now high school-aged child even began kindergarten, I made a point of meeting the principal of the school he would attend to find out how I could get involved. I have recognized from the moment my children were born that it is my responsibility to make sure they get the best start possible in life and my training in education has taught me that helping the whole school helps each individual student. I have long been a strong advocate for good public schools because I have seen first-hand how they enrich communities.
When I chose to step up and put my name in for consideration for school board, I considered my years of engagement with the faculty, staff, and administration at CMSD; my years of personal experience teaching in a classroom; my MBA and business management training and job experience that preceded my move to Columbus; and the needs of my own and all the other children in the district.
Once I submitted my application, I also spoke with every city councilman. Only one wanted to meet with me so he could find out who I was and what I was about. The rest simply responded that they would look at my resume. Several suggested I would have a better shot at being appointed when the white men on the board were being replaced.
I support the request from The Dispatch that the process of selecting board members be more transparent. From my perspective, my application was barely noticed because I have no personal connection with any member of the city council and there was no public discussion of the candidates.
I want the best person appointed to the school board. It might not be me, but I thought the city council would at least seriously consider each person who took the time to apply. Our children are just that important.
Lori LeVar Pierce
Columbus
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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