Morris District Board Candidates Participate In Virtual Forum

MORRISTOWN, NJ—The League of Women Voters of the Morristown Area and the Morris County NAACP sponsored a virtual candidate forum for those seeking election to the Morris School District Board of Education on Wednesday evening.

The four candidates, Meredith Davidson, Vivian Rodriguez, Oliver Starnes and Elisabeth Wall, are running for two seats and terms of three years.

"During my three years on the board," said Davidson, an incumbent running for the second time, "I've been committed to improving communication and collaboration with schools and families, supporting staff, and boosting achievement across the board."

Rodriguez touted her experience as a child advocate.

"I am a child advocate with 39 years experience working in NJ public schools," Rodriguez said, "you give your most valuable possessions to us, and it is out responsibility and the responsibility of the school community to be vigilant that our students are getting the very best."

Starnes said he's running for the board of education seat because of his experience campaigning for human rights and racial justice.

"The best way to effect systemic change is at your local school board," Starnes said, "and that comes from looking at the curriculum of Morris School District but other municipalities across the county."

Wall, former president of a neighborhood association in town, said her community involvement, as well as her experience as an attorney and parent, is why she decided to run for the board.

"No system is perfect," Wall said, "evolution is necessary, and I would like nothing more than to join this dedicated team so that I may continue their admirable work and add value in the best way I can."

Moderator Lisa Winkler asked random questions on the issues, submitted by the public in advance, allowing the candidates to respond. Each was asked about the Amistad Bill and the need for inclusion in Morris District Schools.

"I think Amistad is a beginning," said Rodriguez, who is a school administrator in another district. "But we have to inspect what we expect, an one thing I'd like to see is that is done in our district."

Wall responded that inclusion and diversity was something that needed to be implemented throughout the district.

"We should continue to strive to do better," she said, "and not rest on our laurels."

Starnes said he was in high school when the Amistad Bill was passed, but he wished it was passed earlier.

"The Amistad Law, for me, is a mandate that districts tell the whole narrative of our country's founding, which is really a narrative about slavery." said Starnes. He added that, if elected, he will work with the curriculum committee to ensure everything possible is being done.

Davidson said she agreed with the other candidates about the necessity of inclusion and diversity.

"We have taken pride in our diversity," she said, "we need to show now that we mean it. We are committed to diversity and respect for different cultures."

The candidates were asked about the need for increased teaching civics in the curriculum, including local, county, state, and federal government. Each agreed that an increase in civics education is needed.

Regarding K-5 curriculum during the pandemic, the candidates had different visions of how to review the proficiency and quality of education those students are receiving. Starnes saw a gap between Morris Plains and Morristown elementary schools that needed to narrowed.

"We need to work in genuine partnership with the Morris Plains school district," he said. "We need to ensure both district curriculums are fully aligned and right now that's not the case. I think Morris is a step ahead and we need to do our best to bring Morris Plains up to speed."

Davidson said the struggles of parents, students, and families was very real and had to be addressed, but took a positive stance.

"Our schools have been tested over the last six months with online learning, job loss, food insecurity," she said. "Our administration has done a fantastic job getting our kids back to school. Every student in the district ahs a chrome book and access to lunch every day. But we do need to continue to assess where students are."

Rodriguez said she believes in data-driven decision making, something she's confident the Morris District does well.

"We need district-wide assessments, so we can look at how to fill in those learning gaps," she said, "whether its tutoring or whatever we are able to do within the contractual situation. The board of education's major role is policy."

Wall agreed, noting that she believes Superintendent Mackey Pendergrast is good at making data-driven decisions. But, Wall noted, she isn't as worried as the other candidates about elementary students falling behind.

"I believe we will get them caught up when they need to be," said Wall, who has a child in a Morris District elementary school. "What I am more concerned about is making sure we focus on our children's mental health and emotional and behavioral development and how it's been affected by the pandemic."

Winkler asked about regionalization of K-8 schools and whether the candidates are prepared to begin talks with Morris Plains to combine K-8 schools.

"Am I prepared? Yes, I am," said Rodriguez. "I'm very prepared to have that discussion."

Wall agreed, and said she needed more information before making an absolute statement, but insisted she was open minded.

"Any issues," said Wall, "I am more than willing to discuss."

Starnes said even without taking a position, he's open to discussions.

"There are more school districts in the state than municipalities," he said, "so the need for regionalization is there, we just have to take one step at a time."

Davidson said she was open to talks about regionalization, and added that there would be economic benefits.

"I have talked to some folks from districts with 300 kids," she said, "so they're paying a superintendent and an business administrator. So I think this is to be more efficient and more cost effective."

Each candidate addressed their vision for a scenario in which the pandemic continues and schools had to stay remote only for an indefinite amount of time.

"We've been tested," Davidson said, "I think we are well-positioned to be successful at home, but it's not going to be easy. It's going to take vigilance and strong lines of communication between parents, community, and school to make this work."

Rodriguez said re-envisioning the school year was imperative.

"We need to determine what education will look like," she said., "not just now but in the future."

Wall said she felt the decisions and leadership should come from the superintendent's office in the event of that scenario.

"He's (Pendergrast) going to be the microscope and we are the telescope," she said. "It's up to him and his admin to make sure the children have the technology they need, that the wifi has been acceptable. I'm quote certain the administration will be able to handle it with our overseeing."

Starnes said he wanted to stress the internet access necessity.

"At one point, internet was a luxury," he said, "it's lifeline now. We need to treat it as a utility. That's a major hurdle for some people."

The candidates disagreed when they were asked what needs to be done to go back to full time in-person instruction.

"Effective lines of communication between administration, board, and parents and students needs to be maintained," Starnes said. "Everyone should have the same information. I'm aware that our schools provide sort of a safety net for our full time working parents."

Davidson said she sympathized with families who count on in-person school.

"Everybody wants to go back," she said, "but we have to do the right thing and keep kids safe. We do that by following guidelines from the health department."

Rodriguez concurred with Davidson.

"We have to be data-driven," she said. "And looking to the health department for procedures to follow. We have to wait for direction from the state as to what happens next."

Wall said in-person teaching was best for children, but she also agreed that listening to health officials and making data-driven decisions was important.

"Slow and steady wins the race," she said. "We need to be smart."

Each candidate was allowed a final statement at the end of the program. Wall touted her connection to Morristown and the district as a resident and parent.

"I am extraordinarily passionate about our community as a leader and volunteer," Wall said. "We need leaders on the school board who are deeply vested in our children and their educational experience."

Starnes recalled a difficult problem he experienced while he was in school, when he was asked to do a heritage project and present in front of the class.

"I picked the U.S. and, because I'm black, I guess I'm not supposed to be from here," he said. "So the teacher asked me to re-do the assignment. It's not my responsibility as a student to teach a teacher that the institution of slavery makes it impossible for me to know exactly where I'm from. So I want to bring my life experience to the Morris Board of Education."

Rodriguez said she came to the U.S. from Cuba as a child, and can identify with students who have had the same experience.

"I believe in multiculturalism, and equity for all is in my veins," she said, "I will be there to help and give insight into what I believe would be things to consider for the future."

Davidson closed out the forum.

"If elected I will use my passion for education and expereince as a board member," she said. "t continue to push for academic achievement for all students. When we communicate and collaborate, out kids do better. When our kids do better, so does our community."