Birmingham City School District

As I currently serve as President of the Board of Education, I have witnessed first hand the importance of having the community engaged while making informed decisions regarding curriculum, budgeting and policy. A great example of this is the creation of our Strategic Plan. As part of the process, more than 6,200 community responses from parents, students and other stakeholders were gathered and considered. This survey provided quantitative data toward understanding the vision of our community. We also have a extensive Curriculum Review Committee process that includes input and insight from parents and students. There are several opportunities to review, provide feedback and ask questions regarding new curricula. Collaboration between parents and educators regarding materials is essential for success.

I believe in community partnerships with dedicated teachers and staff, who are education experts. I want parents, caregivers, community members, and kids involved in decision-making, but I also know our teachers and staff have vital knowledge. I want to create an environment where the community works with these experts to inform our curriculum, budgets, and district policies based on our community's lived experiences and staff's educational skills. This relationship helps keep our schools high-quality and ensures that every decision benefits our children.

Our district's Strategic Plan serves as a prime example of how community involvement can lead to meaningful and impactful outcomes. The creation of this plan was a community-driven effort, with over 6,200 responses from parents, students, and other stakeholders providing invaluable insights. This extensive feedback not only helped the Board understand the vision and priorities of our community but also ensured that the Board’s decisions were grounded in the real experiences and needs of those the Board serve.

In addition to the Strategic Plan, I believe that ongoing engagement is essential. The Board has a strong Curriculum Review Committee process that actively includes parents and students. This committee is a vital forum for reviewing, discussing, and refining our educational materials. It's through this collaborative effort that the Board ensures our curricula are not only academically rigorous but also reflective of the diverse perspectives within our community.

As a Board Trustee, I would support creating opportunities for meaningful dialogue between the community and our educators. While our teachers and staff are the experts in education, community involvement is vital in helping inform their decisions. By working together, we can make informed choices that uphold the excellence of our schools and best serve our students.

BPS has a proud history of working with parents, families and students to ensure that a variety of voices are heard from our community at large. Students, parents and community members are always represented on our Curriculum Council which is the committee that recommends new curricula for review and approval to the Board of Education. All curriculum materials are made available to the general public so that anybody can provide input and feedback to the district before final decisions are made.

Likewise, our Strategic Plan, which was adopted in 2022, was developed based on input from 1751 survey responses, 14 focus groups and two committees made up of 60 stakeholders from a variety of backgrounds and roles. Together these individuals created a Strategic Plan that includes goals around Student Achievement, Culture of Unity and Well-Being, World-Class Talent and Responsible Stewardship. The Strategic Plan is the roadmap for the Board of Education.

As a Board of Education Trustee, I always encourage individuals to make public comment and participate in our board meetings and study sessions. All voting board meetings are available via live-stream and they are recorded and posted on our website. If community members have specific questions regarding a topic, I encourage them to email or call board members or the appropriate staff member for further information. I believe that listening to the public is a crucial part of being a school board member.