Kregar, Randall- Oxford Community Schools
Are you an incumbent?
No
Brief Intro of Candidate
I am a retired Michigan public school educator, teacher and administrator, with over thirty years of service in middle and secondary schools. I have a BA in History and Sociology, a MA in Teaching with a concentration in Reading Remediation and an MA in Educational Leadership.
Endorsements
Top financials Contributors
Website and social media links
NA
NA
How would you engage and include parents, caregivers, community members and students in decision-making in your district around things like curriculum, budgeting and district policy?
As a member of the Oxford Board of Education my focus would be to insure that we provide a quality education for all of our students that is built on pedagogically strong principals based on sound curriculum standards. To do so we must be responsive to the needs of our students and parents as well as being fiscally responsible. As a board member I will advocate for all students and maintain an open line of communication to respectfully listen to the diverse opinions of community members.
What are your thoughts on school discipline and the way it is exercised in your school district? What are your thoughts on restorative practices?
School discipline has been scrutinized very closely in Oxford since the tragic shooting three years ago, and this focus is well justified. I feel that great gains have been met to improve the manner in which discipline is dealt with in a manner to maintain safety and understand the motives and needs of the student in question. We still have a long way to go and must continually review and revise our policies to promote a positive learning environment.
In the majority of disciplinary actions it is important to confront the issue head on and clearly state how certain behaviors are unacceptable with an action plan to change these behaviors without reducing access to classroom instruction. Parents must be included in the discussions with an understanding that education is the key focus. The student must be given proper support in changing their behavior with consistent monitoring by trained school personnel. If the student refuses to change their behaviors, then more stringent measures must be taken.
What are your thoughts on how to improve student mental health
It is imperative that the schools have trained personnel who are easily accessed by students to discuss mental health issues they may be experiencing. These trained staff members should also have access to current training as to afford students the best possible care necessary. Schools also need to build and maintain partnerships with local health agencies that can give support to students and their families in an effort to provide them with the care they deserve.
In addition, school boards must work with the legislature to insure and increase funding for mental health services. Creating an atmosphere that is proactive and focuses on healthy no will help reduce the long held stigmas surrounding mental health.
What are your thoughts on ways to improve Black student achievement in your district and in Michigan schools overall?
A solid education for Black students in our district and throughout the state must begin with strongly promoted and funded early childhood programs that are easily accessible. These are the foundations of a strong education that we need to foster. Throughout their years of education, we as a school district must create an educational environment inclusive of the advances society has made because of Black involvement. White culture needs to be more understanding of the fact that everyone is better because of what Black culture has taught and given society as a whole. Education of our Black students means that we have to accept our country’s historical sins and understand and work toward equality through an educational system that is built on supporting each individual student’s needs.
What are your thoughts on how to ensure that all students and their families, regardless of race, gender identity, sexuality, disability, religion, income status, etc., feel safe and included in your district?
We first need to be honest with ourselves and accept the fact that we have let the differences of others turn into hatred of others. By doing nothing we have supported bigotry of all kinds. By refusing to understand others and care for them we have created a barrier between us and knowledge. Now, on to the question at hand. We need to first insure that our students need to know and feel comfortable with the fact that we need to meet the where they are for who they are. The principles of American democracy and society is that we are all equal and it is in schools where we need to foster that respect the most. Schools are a microcosm of our communities and we need all of our students to feel welcomed and respected there because they all share a common goal of a sound education. As a board member it is my responsibility to foster a welcoming environment and make sure we insure that our students, regardless of who they are, feel that they are heard and welcomed.
What are your thoughts on how to recruit and retain staff, particularly staff of color, in your district with regard to pay, benefits, and working conditions?
First we need to stop degrading and vilifying teachers as the purveyors of some secret society bent on warping our children’s minds. Society needs to stop blindly following conspiracy theories and get down to the facts. Teachers are highly educated, dedicated and hard working individuals who work longs hours oft times at the expense of their own families. They are expected to continue to advance their own education at their own expense with minimal monetary rewards in return.
In order to retain and recruit teachers from all backgrounds we need to work with the state legislature to increase funding to schools that will directly benefit the salaries of teachers. We need to work with colleges and universities to have strong teacher education programs that are affordable and progressive in a way that get new teachers in the classroom sooner than a traditional two or three year program lays out. We need to support students who are in low performing schools buy rewarding our exceptional teachers who choose to work in these schools. We need to create strong mentoring programs that support new teachers and entice those who wish to become teachers. We need to have a high quality insurance program designed specifically for the needs of educators. We need a strong and sustainable pension for teachers that rewards longevity in the teaching field. Finally, we need a state funded educational program for teachers to earn advanced degrees in their subject fields steeped in educational pedagogy which in turn builds a stronger educational system for all students.