Candidate Q&A: DeKalb County Board of Education District 5

As of April 23, 2024, Telessa Ammons did not have a website or any information online.

Access to Education

School Curriculum

Aims to address current challenges facing local school districts by investing in students, teachers, and various enrichment programs for English Language Arts and Math.

Said she "Worked with maintenance chief operator staff to address and repair schools' infrastructure, including sidewalks repairs."

Said when questioned on if transgender students should be allowed to use school facilities aligning with their gender identity" How does this question relate to education? The schools needs an accessible teacher lounge and parent center!"

Plans to prioritize funding enrichment programs for STEM, as she said "It’s a lot of wasteful spending...The children need laptops, enrichment programs...exposure to new technologies and exciting curriculum.

- Aims to address current challenges facing local school districts by investing in students, teachers, and various enrichment programs for English Language Arts and Math.
- Said she "Worked with maintenance chief operator staff to address and repair schools' infrastructure, including sidewalks repairs."
- Said when questioned on if transgender students should be allowed to use school facilities aligning with their gender identity" How does this question relate to education? The schools needs an accessible teacher lounge and parent center!"
- Plans to prioritize funding enrichment programs for STEM, as she said "It’s a lot of wasteful spending...The children need laptops, enrichment programs...exposure to new technologies and exciting curriculum.

School Facilities & Resources

Wants to encourage more engagement in outdoor activities and foster community engagement amongst students and parents.

- Wants to encourage more engagement in outdoor activities and foster community engagement amongst students and parents.

Student Wellbeing

Supports high parental participation in children's school districts, mentioning as a Parent Volunteer she "offered my time for teacher relief. When a teacher needs a break, they call me. I also chaperone trips..."

- Supports high parental participation in children's school districts, mentioning as a Parent Volunteer she "offered my time for teacher relief. When a teacher needs a break, they call me. I also chaperone trips..."
- Supports increasing teacher pay.

Teachers

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Telessa Ammons

Ballotpedia: Donna Priest-Brown

Decaturish: Candidate Q&A

Wants to address achievement and fiscal disparities and amongst students.

Wants to enhance special education support through tailored student support.

- Supports equal access to education.
- Wants to address achievement and fiscal disparities and amongst students.
- Wants to enhance special education support through tailored student support.

Plans to install literacy programs aimed to improve reading proficiency and increase interest reading and learning.

Plans to track student literacy progress in an effort to enhance student achievements in math, science, language arts, and social studies.

Plans to emphasize diversity and inclusivity in school curriculums and settings.

Wants to implement and expand experiential learning opportunities and travel programs for students through partnerships.

Plans to partner with local tech companies for school assistance and support.

Wants to consider installing big data for learning and develop policies for AI use in school.

- Plans to install literacy programs aimed to improve reading proficiency and increase interest reading and learning.
- Plans to track student literacy progress in an effort to enhance student achievements in math, science, language arts, and social studies.
- Plans to emphasize diversity and inclusivity in school curriculums and settings.
- Wants to implement and expand experiential learning opportunities and travel programs for students through partnerships.
- Plans to partner with local tech companies for school assistance and support.
- Wants to consider installing big data for learning and develop policies for AI use in school.

Wants to improve classrooms and their facilities.

Plans to seek outside funding sources and grants for education programs.

Plans to ensure fiscal transparency and "reasonable budgeting and resource allocation."

- Wants to improve classrooms and their facilities.
- Supports using modern technology.
- Plans to seek outside funding sources and grants for education programs.
- Plans to ensure fiscal transparency and "reasonable budgeting and resource allocation."

Plans to prioritize and provide support for student mental and emotional health.

Supports a safe and collaborative school setting.

Wants to work with "community organizations to provide family support services."

Wants to develop a council for parents and local volunteers committed to leaning initiatives.

- Plans to prioritize and provide support for student mental and emotional health.
- Supports a safe and collaborative school setting.
- Wants to work with "community organizations to provide family support services."
- Plans to address student homelessness.
- Wants to develop a council for parents and local volunteers committed to leaning initiatives.
- Wants to improve school security.

Wants to expand teacher and staff personnel.

Plans to prioritize mental and emotional health support for staff.

Wants to implement competitive pay and professional development for teachers in an effort to reduce turnover.

- Wants to expand teacher and staff personnel.
- Plans to prioritize mental and emotional health support for staff.
- Wants to implement competitive pay and professional development for teachers in an effort to reduce turnover.

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Donna Priest-Brown

LinkedIn

BallotPedia, Manus Bernard Caldwell Jr.

As of April 23, 2024, Manus Bernard Caldwell Jr did not have a website or any information online.

Manus Bernard Caldwell Jr

Candidate website

Said, "Every decision ​I make will be rooted in the ​unwavering belief that every ​student in District 5 is ​entitled to a top-tier ​education."

Said, "I'm a strong advocate for educational equity... With a Ph.D. in education, I've specialized in ​creating fair tests for teachers... Today, I coordinate the assessment ​process for a school district, and my main goal is to ensure fairness in ​education, making sure every child receives the support they need to thrive..."

- Said, "Every decision ​I make will be rooted in the ​unwavering belief that every ​student in District 5 is ​entitled to a top-tier ​education."
- Said, "I'm a strong advocate for educational equity... With a Ph.D. in education, I've specialized in ​creating fair tests for teachers... Today, I coordinate the assessment ​process for a school district, and my main goal is to ensure fairness in ​education, making sure every child receives the support they need to thrive..."

The candidate's website says, "Initiative: Implementing ​measures to improve literacy ​rates and ensure that every ​student has the tools and ​resources needed for academic ​achievement."

Plans to implement "measures to improve literacy ​rates and ensure that every ​student has the tools and ​resources needed for academic ​achievement."

Said, "Foundation: Acknowledging that ​a strong academic foundation is ​crucial for success, I am ​dedicated to enhancing the ​quality of education, with a ​specific focus on literacy."

Said, "Acknowledging that ​a strong academic foundation is ​crucial for success, I am ​dedicated to enhancing the ​quality of education, with a ​specific focus on literacy."

Said, "My strategy is positive and transparent engagement."

- Plans to implement "measures to improve literacy ​rates and ensure that every ​student has the tools and ​resources needed for academic ​achievement."
- Said, "Acknowledging that ​a strong academic foundation is ​crucial for success, I am ​dedicated to enhancing the ​quality of education, with a ​specific focus on literacy."
- Said, "My strategy is positive and transparent engagement."

Said, "I am committed to putting students first and making ​sure that all students have the resources and ​support they need to succeed. That's why I want to ​hear from you about your top 5 priorities for District ​5."

Tiffany has experience managing CAPs, private school tuition, food Programs, and Stem program budgets.

Said, "I have acquired all needed budget through legal request. I have initiated several ELA enrichment programs for review for upcoming Title One budgets. Worked with maintenance chief operator staff to address and repair schools infrastructure, including sidewalks repairs. The Historic StoneView elementary will be added to new paving projects to address the issues surrounding parking. Also the trailers will be converted to modular learning pads!! The trailers have been a temporary fix for 17 years. Unacceptable."

- Said, "I am committed to putting students first and making ​sure that all students have the resources and ​support they need to succeed. That's why I want to ​hear from you about your top 5 priorities for District ​5."
- Tiffany has experience managing CAPs, private school tuition, food Programs, and Stem program budgets.
- Said, "I have acquired all needed budget through legal request. I have initiated several ELA enrichment programs for review for upcoming Title One budgets. Worked with maintenance chief operator staff to address and repair schools infrastructure, including sidewalks repairs. The Historic StoneView elementary will be added to new paving projects to address the issues surrounding parking. Also the trailers will be converted to modular learning pads!! The trailers have been a temporary fix for 17 years. Unacceptable."

The candidate's website says, "Action: Working tirelessly to ​create a reassuring atmosphere ​that fosters a sense of security ​for all, allowing students and ​teachers to focus on learning ​and teaching; so that every stud​ent has the tools and resour​ces needed for acade​mic achievem​e​nt"

Plans to work "tirelessly to ​create a reassuring atmosphere ​that fosters a sense of security ​for all, allowing students and ​teachers to focus on learning ​and teaching; so that every stud​ent has the tools and resour​ces needed for acade​mic achievem​e​nt"

Said, "As a candidate for School Board District 5, my top priorities are to put ​students first, support teachers, strengthen academics, ensure safety, and ​demand accountability."

Said "my top priorities are to put ​students first, support teachers, strengthen academics, ensure safety, and ​demand accountability."

The candidate's website says, "Placing students at ​the forefront of our ​educational agenda, ensuring ​their needs and aspirations ​are our primary focus."

Plans to place "students at ​the forefront of our ​educational agenda, ensuring ​their needs and aspirations ​are our primary focus."

- Plans to work "tirelessly to ​create a reassuring atmosphere ​that fosters a sense of security ​for all, allowing students and ​teachers to focus on learning ​and teaching; so that every stud​ent has the tools and resour​ces needed for acade​mic achievem​e​nt"
- Said "my top priorities are to put ​students first, support teachers, strengthen academics, ensure safety, and ​demand accountability."
- Plans to place "students at ​the forefront of our ​educational agenda, ensuring ​their needs and aspirations ​are our primary focus."

The candidate's website says, "Our dedicated ​DeKalb teachers are the ​backbone of our education ​system, and they deserve ​resolute support to excel in ​their vital roles."

Believes "Our dedicated ​DeKalb teachers are the ​backbone of our education ​system, and they deserve ​resolute support to excel in ​their vital roles."

- Believes "Our dedicated ​DeKalb teachers are the ​backbone of our education ​system, and they deserve ​resolute support to excel in ​their vital roles."

Tiffany Tate Hogan

- The Board of Education runs the public school system. The Board of Education is entirely independent from the rest of the county government.
- Board of Education members work together to make school policy, set the budget, and appoint the superintendent to run the schools day to day.
- Board of Education members are elected to four-year terms in nonpartisan elections.