Question 1) What do you see as the challenges facing the school system and what would you propose to address those challenges?
Answer - There are many challenges facing education right now, one being student performance and engagement. Education has changed, and more and more districts are scrambling to find ways to engage students. Many regions face teacher shortages and high burnout rates due to lack of support, low pay, large class sizes and mental health issues. These issues can lead to long term subs and less experienced teachers. These issues, left untreated, can lead to a diminished quality of education. Of course, I would love to raise teacher salaries, but we can definitely provide more professional development and support systems, including mental health resources and mentoring programs for new teachers and veteran teachers needing a little support. I am a strong believer that we need to be at college fairs recruiting young teachers right out of college with fresh ideas. Truancy is another problem facing our schools today. We must develop strong relationships with students and their families by assigning mentors and advisors, conducting home visits, and making sure students feel safe and ready to learn.
Question 2) What goals would you have for the school system in the next five years? And what would you propose to achieve those goals?
Answer - I have a few goals in mind for our school system in the next five years. My main goal is to have more students graduate with industry certifications. We desperately need to expand our Career and Technical Education programs. We must equip our students with the skills they need for the workforce. I would love to establish partnerships with our local businesses for internships and mentorships. CTE programs teach students skills that are relevant to the workplace, such as critical thinking, communication and teamwork. In addition, I would like to explore the free Florida Ready to Work program. This is a state-sponsored program that helps Florida residents improve their workplace skills and prepare for employment. The program offers a credential that demonstrates a person’s readiness for the workforce. Lastly, I would like to ensure students are proficient in using technology. We need to foster programs that integrate coding, digital communication, cyber safety, AI and financial literacy courses.
Question 3) What would you propose to increase parent involvement in the schools?
Answer - Increasing parent involvement in school can have a positive impact on student achievement and the overall school climate. First, we must ensure parents feel welcome in the school. We must train staff to be friendly and approachable. This creates a positive and inclusive atmosphere. Our schools can host social events like “Parent Nights” and “Literacy Nights” to allow parents and staff time to interact in a relaxed setting. In addition, workshops can teach parents how to support their child academically, such as reading at home, helping with homework, and understanding the curriculum. We also need to help parents become more comfortable with educational platforms, so they can stay involved in their child’s education. Additionally, we need to provide regular updates to parents. These can be newsletters, apps or social media to keep parents involved on their child’s progress, school events, and opportunities to get involved. We can also set up two-way communication through surveys, suggestion boxes, or direct meetings with teachers and administrators. Finally, we need to establish committees that involve parents in decision-making about school policies, activities and initiatives. Not all parents can be highly involved, so we need to offer different levels of engagement, from attending events to simple activities like reading with their child at home.
Political advertisement paid for and approved by Lesley Fry, Non-partisan, for Suwannee County School Board District 1.