LinkedIn

Jennifer has a bachelor's degree in English from the University of Kansas and a law degree from the University of Kansas. She is currently the Public Relations and Social Media Chair for Sutton Middle School. She is also the Co-President and Co-Chair of Communications for the Board of North Atlanta Parents for Public Schools. She has also been room parent, Talent Show Chair and Parent Teacher Association Vice-President.

Jennifer works on a Global Leadership Team at IBM.

Jennifer's campaign for the board of education is her first entry into politics.

Jan 31 2021 CCDR

Dec 31 2020 CCDR

June 30 2021 CCDR

Sept 30 2021 CCDR

Oct 25 2021 CCDR

Promises to "expand resources and strengthen the entire ecosystem that surrounds our neighborhood schools and \[Atlanta Public School\] students."

- Promises to "expand resources and strengthen the entire ecosystem that surrounds our neighborhood schools and \[Atlanta Public School\] students."

Equity

As of August 9, 2021, Jennifer McDonald’s website did not contain information on this issue.

School System Budget

Plans to "invest time and energy earlier and longer in our neighborhood schools and each and every student to ensure they become college, career and life-ready"

- Plans to "invest time and energy earlier and longer in our neighborhood schools and each and every student to ensure they become college, career and life-ready"

College & Career Readiness

COVID

Jennifer McDonald

Mikayla has a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in program evaluation in education environment from the University of South Florida.

Mikayla is a policy and research analyst for the Urban League of Greater Atlanta. She previously worked for the Office of Engagement with Atlanta Public Schools. She was also a high school math teacher and swim coach.

Mikayla Arciaga's campaign for the board of education is her first entry into politics.

Oct 2021

Wants to make sure that "our students are prepared for college, career, and life-readiness."

Plans to focus on the quality of instruction to make sure "that our curriculum is challenging, and relevant and responsive to the demands of the world that our children will live in when they leave our schools."

Believes that schools "need to recognize that the job market looks completely different than it ever has" and blend standards with in-demand skills such as data analysis, communication and strategic planning.

- Wants to make sure that "our students are prepared for college, career, and life-readiness."
- Plans to focus on the quality of instruction to make sure "that our curriculum is challenging, and relevant and responsive to the demands of the world that our children will live in when they leave our schools." 
- Believes that schools "need to recognize that the job market looks completely different than it ever has" and blend standards with in-demand skills such as data analysis, communication and strategic planning.

Wants to address the fact that half of APS schools are behind in english and math while "bring\[ing\] joy back to learning."

Plans to expand services to students by coordinating with nonprofits, parents, families and GO Teams.

Wants to use up to date information and data, including a new equity audit of the district, to make sure district resources are being used based on student need.

- Wants to address the fact that half of APS schools are behind in english and math while "bring\[ing\] joy back to learning."
- Plans to expand services to students by coordinating with nonprofits, parents, families and GO Teams.
- Wants to use up to date information and data, including a new equity audit of the district, to make sure district resources are being used based on student need.

Wants to improve communication and coordination with community organizations to provide more support to students.

Plans to improve transparency and accessibility during the budget process but supports the school and student based budgeting formulas.

Wants to give the public access to a full, itemized budget book and put all school level budgets in one location that it accessible to the public.

- Wants to improve communication and coordination with community organizations to provide more support to students.
- Plans to improve transparency and accessibility during the budget process but supports the school and student based budgeting formulas. 
- Wants to give the public access to a full, itemized budget book and put all school level budgets in one location that it accessible to the public.

Promises to advocate for "more comprehensive virtual and dual-enrollment options" for both struggling and high-achieving students.

Wants to use strategies learned during virtual learning in 2020 to better engage students both virtually and in person.

Promises to "always put the safety and wellbeing of APS students, families, and personnel first."

Wants to fill educational gaps students experienced by "ensuing the curriculum is relevant and engaging, securing devices and Wi-Fi access for every student, and developing a blueprint for community partners and streamline delivery of wraparound services for every student."

- Promises to advocate for "more comprehensive virtual and dual-enrollment options" for both struggling and high-achieving students.
- Wants to use strategies learned during virtual learning in 2020 to better engage students both virtually and in person. 
- Promises to "always put the safety and wellbeing of APS students, families, and personnel first." 
- Wants to fill educational gaps students experienced by "ensuing the curriculum is relevant and engaging, securing devices and Wi-Fi access for every student, and developing a blueprint for community partners and streamline delivery of wraparound services for every student."

Mikayla Arciaga

- The Board of Education runs the public school system, and it is entirely independent from the rest of the city 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. 
- Some Board of Education members are elected by the entire city, while others represent specific districts. 
- Board of Education members are elected to four-year terms in nonpartisan elections.
