Detroit City School District

As a community organizer, I learned firsthand the importance of communicating with constituents. I have published a community newsletter since 2008 via Constant Contact, apprising constituents of community events, holding coffee hours, community meetings, education town halls, both in person and virtually. Additionally, I have a proven track record of using social media to engage constiutents. I will continue utilizing the aforementioned platforms.

Establishing effective advisory committees that focus accountability for all parties. To engage and include parents, caregivers, community members, and students in decision-making within DPSCD, the district can establish advisory committees, host town hall meetings, and utilize surveys and polls to gather input on curriculum, budgeting, and policies. Open communication channels, participatory budgeting, and technology-driven engagement can broaden participation, while empowering school-based decision-making ensures localized input. Additionally, efforts to restore school pride in schools that have yet to feel included should be prioritized, fostering a sense of belonging and community across the district. Collaborations with local organizations and providing resources such as training, childcare, and transportation further support inclusivity and transparency, creating a decision-making process that truly reflects the community's needs and priorities.

I would work to create advisory committees consisting of parents, caregivers, community members, and students to participate in regular meetings where curriculum, budgeting, and district policy decisions are discussed. Implementing town hall meetings and online surveys can also provide a platform for broader community input. An example is the Ann Arbor Public Schools' "Parent and Community Engagement" initiative, which includes diverse stakeholder groups in decision-making processes.

I encourage parent and community involvement in budgetary decisions to reflect shared priorities. I advocate for increased robust training opportunities for the community to understand how schools are funded by state, federal and philonthropic organizations. I also advocate for every school to have a fully functioning PTA/PTSA
and School Advisory Council that is maintained to improve communications and decision making. I also advocate for board members to actively visit and engage parent/community groups at their designated schools.

Apart from regular scheduled board meetings, I would engage and organize by district a monthly community engagement at a neutral community center or recreation center, so that members of that area including parents and caregivers can openly discuss their concerns as it relate to curriculum, budgeting, and district policy. i

As a parent and active member of the Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD), I strongly believe in the importance of engaging and including parents, caregivers, community members, and students in decision-making processes around critical areas such as curriculum, budgeting, and district policy. Here are some ways in which I would advocate for increased involvement of stakeholders in these important decisions:

1. Establishing Parent and Community Advisory Boards: I would propose the creation of advisory boards comprised of parents, caregivers, community members, and students to provide input on key decisions related to curriculum development, budget allocation, and district policy. These advisory boards would serve as a platform for stakeholders to voice their concerns, suggestions, and ideas.

2. Hosting Community Forums and Town Halls: I would organize regular community forums and town hall meetings to solicit feedback from parents, caregivers, community members, and students on important issues affecting DPSCD. These meetings would provide an opportunity for open dialogue, transparency, and collaboration in decision-making processes.

3. Conducting Surveys and Listening Sessions: I would utilize surveys and listening sessions to gather input from stakeholders on specific topics such as curriculum preferences, budget priorities, and district policies. By actively seeking out the perspectives of parents, caregivers, community members, and students, we can ensure that decisions are reflective of the needs and priorities of the entire school community.

4. Providing Training and Resources for Engagement: I would advocate for the provision of training and resources to empower parents, caregivers, community members, and students to actively participate in decision-making processes. By equipping stakeholders with the necessary knowledge and tools, we can foster a culture of engagement and collaboration within DPSCD.

Overall, my commitment to inclusive decision-making in DPSCD stems from a belief in the power of diverse perspectives and collective input in shaping a strong and equitable educational system. I am dedicated to promoting transparency, accountability, and partnership with stakeholders to ensure that decisions are made with the best interests of our students in mind.

The voices of our students, parents, educators, administrators and collective bargaining units matter. As a Board of Education, we must engage all stakeholders to inform budget and policy decisions for which board members are responsible. To be inclusive of all voices, the Board should issue a community survey at least twice a year, and host community listening sessions in each feeder pattern. Stakeholder priorities should be included in the larger budget decision making, while ensuring that academic support is central and the District is a responsible steward of dollars. The Board should also educate the community on the allowable uses of state and federal dollars. Many grant or line-item specific funds have restrictions. Similarly, the District should continue to advocate for more flexibility on large buckets of funding such as the at-risk dollars.

I would engage and include parents, caregivers, community members, and students in decision-making in DPSCD around things like curriculum, budgeting and district policy by being present for them and listening to their issues & concerns. I know that as a board member, one board member can’t do the job alone; it will take all of us to fight for the type of education we want to see in Detroit. I am proposing we have community meetings with parents, students, and community members in a collaborative setting to discuss school related issues directly with a board member(s) prior to the regularly scheduled board meetings. As a board member, I want to be proactive in my decision making and not reactive. Always thinking of the future generations to come.

During this process of running for office, I've talked to scores of parents, community leaders, students and educators to hear their perspective about how we can improve the District. A lack of communication between the District, the Board and the community and the problems that emerge from such lack of communication has come up in nearly every discussion. To solve this problem as a board member, I would work with other board members to conduct an assessment of what the District is already doing to include the community in various decision making protocols, and then work to improve any such procedures. I look forward to discussing this in more detail.

I would be concerned with parents and community leaders that will help shape policy to improve and maintain the quality of education at DPS

Helped develop culturally relevant curriculum for DPSCD.

I would listen to students, parents, caregivers, and community members at school and neighborhood meetings and use their input to inform my decisions as a board member.