Website: VoteCliffLewis.com
Ranked Choice:
I support programs that replace traditional and/or remedial courses with advanced and/or college level courses in our district.
Neutral
I believe that the racial demographics of the school districts should equitably represent the population of Baton Rouge.
Strongly Agree
I support the creation of a separate school district for St. George.
Strongly Disagree
Family poverty levels affect student test scores, therefore we need a system that takes overall school poverty level into account in order to give a more accurate measure of student performance.
Neutral
The school district should have the authority to mandate vaccines for children in public schools.
Neutral
The school district should provide curriculum that is sensitive to race, gender, and culture.
Agree
Recess time should be required in both elementary AND middle schools.
Agree
Short Answer:
What is your relationship with the public school system? (Did you attend, did/are your children/grandchildren attend(ing)). Have you attended school board meetings in the past? How would your presence improve the board?
I have worked as a Parental Engagement Coordinator in the East Baton Rouge public school system for 14 years. That equates too over 2,530+ days of engaging with parents, students and their families. This work has been done in traditional public school, charter schools and RSD state run schools.
I have 3 adult children all of whom attended EBR public schools. I have 10 grandchildren all of whom attended and/or still enrolled in the EBR public school system.
Yes, I’ve been attending school board meetings for the past 10 years.
I believe my presence on the school would lend legitimacy to the conversations surrounding what actually takes place in our schools on a daily basics.
I have seen firsthand how policies enacted by this local board and the LDOE have impacted students, their families and faculty.
Furthermore, I believe 16 years as a college football coach taught me the importance of collaborative efforts in getting the job done in ways that benefit everyone involved.
Do you support the creation of more charter schools in Baton Rouge? What criteria would you use to determine whether to approve them? What solution would you propose to address the growing budget deficits as charters receive more dedicated funds from the general budget?
When it comes to the creation of more charter schools in Baton Rouge, there are several criteria that must be addressed. Those criteria are outlined specifically in bulletin 126 on the Louisianan Believes website.
However, as a voting member of the EBR school board. I would want to see and conduct a thorough review of 1.) the providers most recent 5-year academic performance records. 2) the providers history of recruiting and retention of highly qualified teachers, specifically African American men in school leadership positions. 3) history of fiscal responsibility. 4) distribution of resources through-out their other schools. 5) number of schools located in cities and states with similar or comparable demographics to Baton Rouge. 6) history of suspension and/or expulsions of African American children, children with disabilities and children who may be classified as homeless.
Type 1 charters are authorized by local boards. Many parents want and believe in choice for their children.
What role does a school board member play in addressing the local challenges concerning teacher retention and hiring? How will you address the district’s teacher shortage?
It is our responsibility as policy makers to ensure that ALL children receive a fair and equitable education. That will not happen if we cannot retain qualified teachers and recruit more of them. I believe an effective strategy to do both is to PAY them a competitive livable wage.
We can be more creative in classroom presentations by employing satellite instruction. This way a veteran teachers could assist a younger inexperienced teacher by being present via satellite in the classroom with them while they both teach the same subjects.
We can also borrow from the model used by Community Colleges and employ Adjunct (teachers) professors.
The Industrial Tax Exemption Program gives exemption of property tax to industry. What is your criteria for approving or denying ITEP exemptions for the school board portion of the tax?
Grant the exemptions only if serves to strengthen our local economy, improve our workforce and GUARANTEE a percentage of the tax savings are returned to the school system in some other way. And those dollars should be earmarked for schools with the greatest need.
Would you like to clarify any of your ranked choice responses?
No