The South Orange/Maplewood Community Coalition on Race hosted the third and final forum of the campaign season for the 7 Board of Education candidates on October 29, focusing on equity — in particular support for the Intentional Integration Initiative and the 23 Fergus recommendations — and including a question about ending the “cycle of drama” on the BOE.
The forum was streamed on the Coalition’s Facebook page. Some technical glitches resulted in the forum being split across three video streams.
Part 1:
After an introduction and explanation of the forum format by the Coalition’s Schools Committee Co-Chairs Carol Barry-Austin and Jocelyn Ryan, the candidates make introductory remarks. Following those remarks, CCR Program Director Audrey Rowe moderated the Q&A:
Question 1 begins around 11:42 in the video below: “A disparity in academic achievement between white students and Black and brown students has been a persistent issue in this school district. Do you believe that by following Dr. Fergus’s recommendations and implementing the integration plan we will finally close the gap? Please explain.” Answers begin with Paul Stephan.
Question 2, at about 21:00: “If a Black family considering a move to this community expressed concern to you about racial equity in the school district, what would you tell them?” Answers begin with Jeff Bennett
Question 3, approximately at 31:00: “We have a sizable population that does not speak English as a first language. How have you engaged Spanish, Haitian Creole and other non-English-speaking families during your campaign and/or during your tenure on the board and how would you continue to engage these constituents if elected?” Answers begin with Bimal Kapadia.
Part 2:
Answers to Question 3 continue into this second video.
Question 4, 5:41 in the video below: “The Coalition on Race is fully committed to integration and has been supportive of the Intentional Integration Initiative. Some criticism of the plan has centered around parents having a choice in the schools their children attend. What is your view? Do you support the integration plan in its totality?” Answers begin with Qawi Telesford.
Question 5, 14:42: “Racial disparities in discipline continue to be an issue here. Why do you believe that is? What policies would you propose to address this and how would you track and measure their effectiveness?” Answers begin with Deirdre Brown.
Question 6, 24:00: “Our district has experienced more than its share of disruption and instability, which has interrupted much of the equity work the district has committed to. What specific strategies will you use to refocus the district on its equity work so that every child — regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation and economic circumstance — can achieve their full potential?” Answers begin with Bethany Joseph.
Question 7: 33:09: “For candidates who have served on the Board of Education, what do you consider your greatest accomplishment? And for those of you running for the first time, how do you hope to be able to answer that question in three years’ time? Answers begin with Arun Vadlamani.
Question from the audience (Abigail Murtagh), 42:19: What is one specific step you would take as a board member to safeguard the equity gains our district has made? And what specific step would you take to further those gains? Answers begin with Bethany Joseph.
Part 3:
Answers to Murtagh’s question continue into this third video.
Question from the audience (Kathy Greenstone), 4:06: “Can you please tell us something about our district that you think is a success?” Answers begin with Jeff Bennett.
Question from the audience (Carma Van Allen), 10:41: “I’m a 20 year SO resident whose kids have been in the district since kindergarten. My youngest son is now a senior at CHS. While our experience with SOMSD schools has been overwhelmingly positive, there is a part of me that is ready to breathe a huge sigh of relief to graduate from the ongoing and seemingly endless cycle of chaos and divisiveness that plagues our district. If elected what will you do and how will you work collaboratively to change this culture of never-ending drama so that all of our beautiful students can thrive and succeed? Answers begin with Qawi Telesford.
Question from the audience (Daniel Wright), 18:10: “After the recent multi-million dollar budget shortfall that led to the elimination of 28 jobs and teacher layoffs, how do we do better next year? Would you have supported the renewal of the previous business admin and if you didn’t, why? How will you work with the next superintendent and the next BA to improve our budget process?” Answers begin with Arun Vadlamani.
Question from the audience (Gavin Heydt), 24:24: “Security is not only an issue in our school district but in this country and it is rapidly growing. We had our own incident in the high school involving trespassers with intent to hurt a student which threatened the well-being of that student and us, despite a full security team. My question is: If elected, what plans do you have to improve the safety of us students?” Answers begin with Arun Vadlamani.
Question from the audience (current BOE member Liz Callahan), 29:33: “Board service requires not only ideas and plans, which there is no shortage of on the campaign trail, but also continuous learning. So as a Board member, what areas are you most curious about learning, if you are not currently a board member? And for our incumbents, what have you learned about Board service? And how would you approach gathering this knowledge if you are elected? Answers begin with Jeff Bennett.
Last audience question (Diane Tremper), 33:28: “I went all the way through South Orange-Maplewood K-12 and we just had our 60th reunion from CHS and someone at the reunion — and it was an incredible education, by the way — one person said, ‘We all felt as if we were the one who did not belong.’ Is there anything that you think that can be done to seek to enhance students’ social skills to make each student feel valued?” Answers begin with Qawi Telesford.
38:06 Closing Statements
Related:
- VIDEO: BOE Candidates Spar on Accountability Vs. Stability, Playing Fields, More
- VIDEO: League of Women Voters/Presidents’ Council Host BOE Candidates Forum
Read more Village Green election coverage here.
