WAYNESBORO — With early voting underway and the general election set for Tuesday, Nov. 5, Waynesboro has three people on the ballot for three open school board seats.
Erika Smith and Diana Williams will be seeking reelection to the Waynesboro School Board this November. Smith is currently the Ward B representative while Williams holds the school board seat in Ward A.
The at-large school board member, Rick Wheeler, chose not to run again this fall. Nigel Stewart will be seeking that seat as a newcomer to the school board.
The News Leader asked each candidate to provide a few sentences about themselves, then asked them a series of questions. Their responses, minimally edited, are below:
Diana Williams, Ward A
No bio provided
What will be your top priorities if elected?
I don’t think my priorities have changed. If they can be tied with a neat bow, that bow would be called resources. We need to be able to continue to attract and retain talent, inside and outside of the classroom. Teachers, aides, counselors, bus drivers, administrators — the list goes on. Our business is people and it’s the people in our buildings who make WPS great.
I know this is mentioned a lot, but mental health remains of great concern. Believe it or not we’re still recovering from COVID — academically and emotionally.
All of this requires monetary resources. The study commissioned by our very own legislators proved what we’ve been saying for years — we are grossly underfunded and frequently under fire (mostly for political gain). Ironically, the Commonwealth of Virginia has kind of become a deadbeat parent — always has something to say, but doesn’t contribute their fair share.
How long have you been on the board?
Since February 2017
Do you have a background in education? If yes, what is the background?
No
What additional qualifications do you think make you a good school board candidate?
At this point, my years of experience. I listen, I learn from those around me and I prioritize my professional development. My career is also in communications so I know how to deliver a message clearly and concisely when needed. I think really understanding what my role is and isn’t along with knowing how to communicate makes me an effective board member.
What are the main issue(s) facing Waynesboro Public Schools and/or public education in general? Why?
Is this when I pull out my disaster capitalism soapbox? Seriously, there are those who want to dismantle education for financial gain — vouchers and charters — but there are others who want to spread ignorance. If you can’t critically think and form opinions for yourself, you’re easier to control.
This is why enslaved people were forbidden to read and write — knowledge is power. This is also why it’s important that a free, quality education remains a right of all. Frankly, it’s harder for those who seek to oppress us — and almost all of us, regardless of race or finances are being oppressed at this point — to get away with it if we’re all well-educated.
Do you believe the current school board does a good job communicating with the public? If not, how would you improve it?
Maybe? I’m not really sure how to answer this. We’re responsive to emails. We’re responsive to the press — see, I’m talking to you. We do presentations when asked — several of us are presenting to Waynesboro Rotary in a few days.
As for me, if you approach me in public, I’m happy to chat. In fact I love when people recognize me and ask me questions. I will say I haven’t been very active on social media for about 18 months and that was really for my mental health.
I’ll direct this one back to my constituents — would you like to hear from me more and if so, how? I’m open to suggestions.
What do you see as the board’s role and responsibilities?
I know lately it seems like this is up for debate, but it’s not. The Commonwealth has been pretty clear about our roles and responsibilities. They are:
1. We are policymakers.
2. We approve the budget.
3. We supervise the superintendent.
And notice that I said “we.” I can share my thoughts and opinions — and I should, but we are a governance team and when we act, we act as a unit and not as individuals.
Do you believe Waynesboro Public Schools does a good job promoting diversity, equity and inclusion? If not, how can it improve?
I think WPS does an excellent job implementing our values. You can call it what you want, but our division excels at meeting our students and families where they are, being adaptive and innovative and addressing the needs of the whole child.
There’s always room for improvement, but that’s why being adaptive is important. We know best practices can change over time, and being flexible enough to make changes as needed keeps us at the forefront of educational justice.
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Erika Smith, Ward B
I am a proud native of Waynesboro and Stuarts Draft High School graduate. I am the married mother of eight children (one daughter, seven boys). My children keep me active at their schools (all four levels), in youth sports, and other family activities.
What will be your top priorities if elected?
I have three top priorities that I would like to work with the rest of the Board and (Superintendent) Dr. (Jeff) Cassell. They are continuing student achievement since the pandemic; retaining good teachers and staff by providing competitive compensation; and completing the Waynesboro High School renovation.
In fact, the second two priorities are closely related to my first priority. To facilitate the learning of our students, we need to ensure they have the best educators in the area and schools that are not just modern, but ready for the future.
How long have you been on the board?
I have been on the Waynesboro School Board for seven years.
Do you have a background in education? If yes, what is the background?
I do have a background in education, especially education in Waynesboro Public Schools. I have been a parent of Waynesboro school students for 19 years and I will be for many years to come. I am at the pre-school, elementary schools, middle school, and high school every week as a parent, volunteer (PTO), crossing guard, and board member.
What additional qualifications do you think make you a good school board candidate?
As mentioned, I am an active parent in Waynesboro Public Schools. I am the mother of eight children who have been, are currently attending, or will attend Waynesboro Public Schools. I am also active in the community with youth activities. Also, I have forged strong relationships with many Waynesboro City Council members.
What are the main issue(s) facing Waynesboro Public Schools and/or public education in general? Why?
Definitely, overcoming student learning loss and the other incidental consequences of the pandemic. In the time that schools were shut down or conducting virtual learning, student performance has struggled to get back to the successful level we saw in the years leading up to March 2020. Also, chronic absenteeism has exponentially increased across Virginia. Teachers can’t educate students if they are not making it to school. The pandemic has also had an impact on the affordable housing situation and food security in our area. We are seeing many more homeless students in the years after the pandemic ended. Hungry and homeless students struggle to stay focused in the classroom, even with our staff doing their best to get them basic necessities.
Do you believe the current school board does a good job communicating with the public? If not, how would you improve it?
I believe we do but we can always do better. Waynesboro Public Schools has a growing presence on social media. School board meetings are advertised with dates, times, and agenda weeks ahead of time. We also started live streaming our meetings this year.
Personally, I never miss an opportunity to meet and speak with my constituents at school activities, sporting events, or just out in public. The word “transparency” is a common buzzword in local politics. The school board does not hide the people’s business from them or students’ issues, either. We encourage anyone from the community to come to our monthly meetings or budget work sessions to listen and/or speak to us.
What do you see as the board’s role and responsibilities?
The role is to lead. That does not mean school boards steamroll ahead without the input of students, parents, and educators or expertise of Dr. Cassell. We need to listen, study, digest and then act in a way that is best for our students to prepare them to be ready for life after graduation.
In order to lead, we have to develop an annual budget that will get our students what they need to be ready. We need to establish policies so that schools operate smoothly, safely, and efficiently. Finally, we need to evaluate the performance of the school superintendent every year so that we have the best leadership. Those are the responsibilities.
Do you believe Waynesboro Public Schools does a good job promoting diversity, equity and inclusion? If not, how can it improve?
Yes, we have a Director of DEI who has been in her position for nearly five years now. The DEI Director disseminates weekly emails to teachers with activities and curricula that can be used in the classroom. September is Hispanic Heritage Month. Waynesboro has a diverse population and we want our students of Hispanic ethnicity to feel that they can learn about their contributions to our country and feel respected. Also, Dr. Cassell and Dr. Barber continue to recruit administrators and teachers of different backgrounds so that students can see people who look like them in the schools.
Are there any other issues you feel are important that these questions didn’t cover?
No questions. I just wanted to close by saying how proud I am to serve on the Waynesboro School Board. I believe that there is so much more to be done helping our students get to a time when we can settle into the “new normal” of post-pandemic learning. I am ready for the challenge.
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Nigel Stewart, at-large
No bio provided
What will be your top priorities if elected?
My main priorities will be to support our teachers and students, even if it means being physically present in classrooms. I aim to create transparency in our schools so that parents and the community are always aware of our school system’s academic standing, performance, and staff hires.
Additionally, I plan to expand our trade school partnerships and career opportunities for graduating seniors. Overall, I am committed to achieving stronger academic performance to ensure that we are competitive statewide, not just locally.How long have you been on the board?
This would be my first term serving on the school board. With that, I am extremely grateful for the support and confidence the community has expressed toward me.
Do you have a background in education? If yes, what is the background?
Although my background is in banking rather than education, this provides me with a unique perspective. As a recent graduate of Virginia State University and a former student of Waynesboro Public Schools, I am confident that my firsthand experiences will be invaluable in my position.
What additional qualifications do you think make you a good school board candidate?
With a degree in Accounting and finance, I bring fiscal expertise to the table. My long-standing community involvement, ability to relate to students, and passion for change are key qualifications that make me an excellent candidate for the school board.
What is the main issue(s) facing Waynesboro Public Schools and/or public education in general? Why?
It’s more effective to approach things as opportunities for improvement. With that, generally speaking, classroom resources have to be more cutting-edge to allow for higher productivity and innovation.
In public education, we’ve seen how controversial topics can shift the focus from a strong academic foundation to disharmonious environments. As a result, this can in some instances reduce the quality of education for our students unnecessarily.
Do you believe the current school board does a good job communicating with the public? If not, how would you improve it?
I believe our communication has great potential for improvement. By leveraging social media more effectively, organizing casual meet-and-greets with families, and fostering direct communication, we can create a more connected community.
What do you see as the board’s role and responsibilities?
The three main functions of the school board are establishing the budget, setting policies, and review of the superintendent. However, there are opportunities for us to be more directly involved in our school system that, while potentially beyond the primary scope of our role, remain within reason.
Do you believe Waynesboro Public Schools does a good job promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion? If not, how can it improve?
We do a commendable job promoting DEI, but there’s always room for growth and new opportunities. To enhance our efforts, we should add more need-based programs for students and parents, establish relationships with HBCUs, and actively understand and support local diverse communities to help them excel along with maintaining their history.
Are there any other issues you feel are important that these questions didn’t cover?
We must maintain the trust and faith of the community to make the best possible decisions for our school system. It’s equally as important that we focus on internal and external growth in ways that push us past our norms in a positive way. Becoming stagnant will not be sustainable for any future growth or development.
It’s also important that we tap into local resources and individuals to invest back into our school system. One way is by having people guest teach in our classrooms and provide internships/careers.
I’d also like to enhance our CTE department, specifically financial literacy. Creating a more rigorous curriculum that sets our students up for success immediately after graduating. Additionally, I would like to begin exposing our students to financial literacy at a much earlier age, allowing for proper matriculation into more complex topics.
— Patrick Hite is a reporter at The News Leader. Story ideas and tips always welcome. Connect with Patrick (he/him/his) at phite@newsleader.com and on Instagram @hitepatrick. Subscribe to us at newsleader.com.
This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Who’s running for Waynesboro School Board? Find out more about the candidates.
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