William Harris,

56, is the founder of Believers’ Christian Fellowship Church, was president of Leaders for Equality & Action in Dayton, and served on the Montgomery County Alcohol, Drug & Mental Health Services Board. His children are graduates of the district’s Stivers School for the Arts.

Harris calls for a districtwide effort to improve student attendance, saying it is essential to better achievement. He also wants DPS to pursue public and private funds for after-school programs and non-academic services to turn schools into community hubs.

Harris said the programs should exposing students to technology, museums and career pathways they don’t see in their neighborhoods “to broaden their horizons.” Too many African-American students choose to get fast money in the drug trade rather than pursue a career and “work hard to move up,” he said.

Harris talked about needing to raise the level of pride in the city, but acknowledged that DPS’ image problems will only go away when the district has more success. Like many candidates, he said the contentious nature of the school board needs to change. Asked about Whaley’s support for the slate of candidates that includes him, Harris didn’t hesitate to say he would be independent.

“I’m an individual. ... I’m no puppet,” Harris said . “I look forward to having a listening ear to what she has to say (but) we may not agree on everything.”