Decaturish, Teachers, parents protest DeKalb Schools plan to return to school amid COVID-19 surge

Decaturish, Candidate Q&A - Decatur Board of Education, District 2, Post B

Decaturish, Here are the candidates for city offices in the Nov. 7 election

Tracey has lived in Decatur for about 15 years. She lives with her husband and they have one daughter. She lives in Oakhurst.

Tracey is a high school English teacher. She has worked in DeKalb schools for 25 years.

Tracey Anderson's campaign for member of the city board of education is her first entry into politics.

Wants to provide teachers with training and professional development that they need.

Said, "CSD can do better to capitalize on our small district's existing resources: finances, location, active community, and opportunities."

Plans to focus spending around the classroom. Said that, if "the expenditure is not directly used in the classroom or shown to have some discernible and measurable impact on students, we might not need to spend that money yet."

Believes that the school system should cover the cost of AP and IB exams, rather than having parents pay for their students' tests. Wants to cap the number of tests each student can take and have attendance and work requirements.

- Wants to provide teachers with training and professional development that they need.
- Said, "CSD can do better to capitalize on our small district's existing resources: finances, location, active community, and opportunities."
- Plans to focus spending around the classroom. Said that, if "the expenditure is not directly used in the classroom or shown to have some discernible and measurable impact on students, we might not need to spend that money yet."
- Believes that the school system should cover the cost of AP and IB exams, rather than having parents pay for their students' tests. Wants to cap the number of tests each student can take and have attendance and work requirements.

Taxes & Budget

Said, "how will our students cultivate a love of learning and become critical thinkers if we imply that school is about completing on-line assignments and assessment?"

Promises to "focus on our students and their learning."

Plans to prioritize the role of teachers in instructions.

Wants to evaluate whether MAP tests are taking time away from reading instruction and special education.

- Said, "how will our students cultivate a love of learning and become critical thinkers if we imply that school is about completing on-line assignments and assessment?"
- Promises to "focus on our students and their learning."
- Plans to prioritize the role of teachers in instructions.
- Wants to evaluate whether MAP tests are taking time away from reading instruction and special education.

School Curriculum

Said, "I think we have a lot of good work to do in making sure that students are not just told of new classes, tutoring opportunities, clubs, or sports, but also helped to participate."

Wants more communication between the school board, the superintendent, parents, and Decatur residents.

Said, "we need to have staff evaluating their supervisors and teachers evaluating instructional support and administrators."

Expressed concern when schools were attempting to re-open during COVID-19 surge, "schools are old, in disrepair, and overcrowded."

Wants to prioritize raise pay for all teachers and staff over the school district providing housing to some employees and not others.

- Said, "I think we have a lot of good work to do in making sure that students are not just told of new classes, tutoring opportunities, clubs, or sports, but also helped to participate."
- Wants more communication between the school board, the superintendent, parents, and Decatur residents.
- Said, "we need to have staff evaluating their supervisors and teachers evaluating instructional support and administrators."
- Expressed concern when schools were attempting to re-open during COVID-19 surge, "schools are old, in disrepair, and overcrowded."
- Wants to prioritize raise pay for all teachers and staff over the school district providing housing to some employees and not others.

School Facilities & Resources

As of August 28, 2023, Tracey Anderson did not have a website or any information online.

School Safety & Discipline

Tracey Anderson

As of August 28, 2023, Tracey Anderson did not have a website and did not complete our questionnaire.

- Expressed concern when schools were attempting to re-open during COVID-19 surge, "schools are old, in disrepair, and overcrowded."

Tracey Anderson's campaign for city board of education member is her first entry into politics.

- 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.
