JC School Board candidates talk representation, cultural competence at forum

Candidates for the Jefferson City School District Board of Education pictured from left are: Adam Wesley Gresham, Anne Bloemke-Warren, Marc Ellinger and Erika Leonard.
Candidates for the Jefferson City School District Board of Education pictured from left are: Adam Wesley Gresham, Anne Bloemke-Warren, Marc Ellinger and Erika Leonard.

Candidates for the Jefferson City School District Board of Education took questions on diversity and representation, issues facing minority students, and the value of teachers and education at a school board candidate forum on the Jefferson City NAACP's Facebook page Monday night.

All four candidates were present: Anne Bloemke-Warren, Adam Gresham, Marc Ellinger and Erika Leonard.

NAACP President Rod Chapel asked candidates to answer his questions with a yes or no, prompting several candidates to chafe at the inability to provide context to their answers.

Chapel asked if there is racism in the Jefferson City School District.

Bloemke-Warren said racism is everywhere. Ellinger said yes, but it isn't systemic. Gresham said yes and Leonard answered no.

Chapel also asked if critical race theory is being taught in JC Schools.

Bloemke-Warren and Leonard said no, and Ellinger and Gresham said yes.

Candidates were asked to name the strengths of JC Schools.

Bloemke-Warren said teachers and staff are "second to none" and losing them would weaken the district.

Ellinger said the community, teachers and advanced placement offerings are among the strengths, though it's necessary to confront the negatives as well.

Gresham said the "small town feel" of Jefferson City is a positive, as well as the high expectations the community places on the public school system.

Leonard said the opportunities afforded by behavioral interventionists and learning specialists, as well as the extracurricular, advanced placement and dual credit options are good strengths.

Candidates were asked whether there is a greater need for diversity in staff.

Bloemke-Warren said children are more likely to succeed when they see teachers that look like them, adding she felt quality teachers and better representation are not mutually exclusive. She said a partnership with Lincoln University could create better representation.

Ellinger said a diverse mix of teachers is always a goal. He also said he felt a partnership with LU could be a good choice and the district should always look to recruit the best teachers.

Gresham said he is more concerned about quality teaching than matching the community population or "diversity for diversity's sake."

Leonard said she would love to see better representation, and would be willing to learn how the district could better attract more applicants.

Chapel also asked whether candidates were in favor of corporal punishment. All answered no.

Candidates were asked to define a "great teacher."

Gresham said a great teacher generates enthusiasm, connects with their students, and helps students learn and shows results.

Leonard said a great teacher wants to be in a classroom, connects with their students and determines their individual needs.

Bloemke-Warren also said she sees connection with students and an ability to recognize students' needs as a priority.

Ellinger said great teachers show progress in their class and use their own teaching style to motivate students.

Candidates were asked whether it is important for today's teachers to be "culturally competent."

Leonard said it is important for teachers to be able to tackle any conversation in their classroom.

Bloemke-Warren agreed, saying teachers can moderate conversations children may not be able to have at home.

Ellinger said teachers need to be able to understand each student's background, aspirations and community and know how to work with them, or ask for help if they don't know how.

Gresham said teachers primarily need to be experts in their subject area, but cultural competency is a component.

Candidates were asked how they would ensure accountability on the board.

Bloemke-Warren said she would keep lines of communication open and would be willing to add an open forum on any subject.

Ellinger said he would be available to the community at any time and would also like to see a more open public forum.

Gresham promised to get into the schools and see what's happening to increase accountability.

Leonard said she would be interested in finding ways for the board to directly communicate with families about what decisions it is facing.

Chapel asked whether candidates believed disciplinary actions are disproportionately higher for minority students.

Ellinger, Leonard and Bloemke-Warren said yes, while Gresham said no.

Chapel asked whether candidates would have a policy of automatic termination for teachers or staff that use the N-word in school.

Bloemke-Warren wanted to talk about the context in which it was being said, but Chapel told her to limit herself to one word. She said no. Ellinger also wanted to bring up context, and he and Gresham also said no. Leonard said yes.

Chapel asked if the disciplinary system is fair to all students.

Gresham and Leonard said yes, and Ellinger and Bloemke- Warren said no.

The full forum is available on the Jefferson City NAACP Facebook page.