Places 1 and 2 on L-EISD Board of Trustees
TEXARKANA, Texas — Voters will head to the polls May 4 to decide members of Liberty-eylau Independent School District’s Board of Trustees.
Two school board positions are on the ballot — Places 1 and 2. Early voting starts today and ends April 30. The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 2901 Leopard Drive.
The Gazette emailed a five-question survey to candidates. Some responses were edited for conciseness.
PLACE 1
Name: Cadesha Benson Whitaker
Age: 44 Previous Public Service: Board Member for Single Parent Scholarship Fund for Miller & Bowie Counties
How long in the district: 11 years
Current job: Head Start Program Director
Why are you running for school board and what are your qualifications?
I am Cadesha Benson Whitaker, candidate for the Liberty-eylau ISD School Board. I am running for the school board because I want to ensure that all student needs are met and to engage parents in the decision-making process to strengthen the home and school connection. Both my sons attend school here, and I love the family atmosphere they get to experience. As a board member, I will strive to make decisions that include input from all stakeholders: parents, students, community, and staff. My qualifications include being an active volunteer in various positions with the District Leadership Team, Campus Leadership Team, and Athletic Booster. I have worked in Early Childhood Education for over 10 years and currently serve on the Child Development Advisory Board for Texarkana College. I will work tirelessly to guarantee all students receive a well-rounded and equitable education as well as to ensure all stakeholder voices are valued.
How can the district improve teacher retention?
Teacher retention is a vital part of my job in my current role. Retention rates increase when teachers feel valued, supported, receive professional development tailored to their individual needs and are adequately compensated. Regarding compensation, teachers have voiced a desire for the Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) to include all teachers and not just STAAR area teachers. As a school board member, I would work to encourage the district to create a plan that compensates all teachers, because every teacher plays a role in the success of our children.
Is the school district adequately addressing student safety and mental health?
Parents in our district have expressed a need for improving communications when incidents occur, following through on resolving issues, and communicating the resolutions back to parents. There also needs to be more communication with parents about safety precautions and mental health tools available to the students. As a school board member, I will strive to build strong relationships with parents to ensure our students’ safety, their physical well-being, and their mental health are a priority.
What will you do to enhance fine arts and career and technical education programs?
The district should expand on current partnerships with our local colleges and universities to include more programs so that all our students graduate with a plan to attend college, join the armed forces, or have a technical certificate so that they can join the workforce. Businesses within the district should be called on to offer training and internships to Liberty-eylau students. My experience with Head Start has taught me that community partnerships are the key to enhancing our programs, or in this case our district. If elected, I would like to see collaboration with our local museum system to schedule field trips.
What role should the community play in supporting public school education?
Community members may play a role in public school education by volunteering, advocating for needed resources and providing mentorship programs. For example, support for public school education can be shown by volunteering, attending events hosted by the schools, and by donating their time and resources when possible. An important way the community can support public education is by voting in local, state, and national elections including school board elections. I hope to see everyone at the polls.
Name: Todd Johnson
Age: 34
Previous Public Service: 7 years Military Service
How long in the district: 6 years in Liberty Eylau
Current Job Title: Refrigeration Technician
Why are you running for school board and what are your qualifications?
As a father to a child with special needs, I am committed to advocating for children and families facing similar challenges. I am running because I believe in giving a voice to those who are often overlooked. My experience as an avid special needs advocate, my dedication to Christian values, and my seven years of leadership in the US military uniquely qualifies me for this role. I aim to leverage these experiences and values to make a tangible difference on the board of trustees at Liberty-eylau ISD.
How can the district improve teacher retention?
To ensure that our educators stay committed, we must take decisive action on multiple fronts. Firstly, let’s prioritize salary increases for teachers and paraprofessionals, proving that we value their dedication and expertise. Competitive compensation not only retains our current talent but also attracts top-tier educators to our district. Secondly, let’s invest in comprehensive professional development programs and educational opportunities, empowering our educators with the skills and knowledge they need to excel in their roles. Additionally, we’ll establish transparent communication channels, encouraging feedback from all levels of staff and ensuring that their voices are heard and respected. This approach will create a supportive environment where educators feel valued and motivated to make a lasting impact on our students’ lives.
Is the school district adequately addressing student safety and mental health?
It is my opinion that there are significant gaps in student safety and mental health, especially in the special needs department at Liberty-eylau. It is my full intention to bring real solutions and initiatives to the table that provide positive and lasting impact in students, families, and staff.
What will you do to enhance fine arts and career and technical education programs?
I’m dedicated to finding practical ways to highlight the fine arts and technical talents of Liberty-eylau’s students while ensuring everyone feels included. I firmly believe it’s crucial for all students to have opportunities to prepare for their futures through art and technical skills, as these avenues foster creativity and problem-solving skills. This holds even more significance for our special needs students, who can greatly benefit from these opportunities. By prioritizing inclusivity and actively promoting these outlets, we can empower every student to thrive.
What role should the community play in supporting public school education?
The community plays a vital role in the success of Liberty-eylau. It’s essential that we, as a community, ensure our voices are heard and actively participate in shaping our children’s future. This means being engaged in school board meetings, showing support for school events, and actively contributing to positive change within our community. By taking proactive steps and being actively involved, we can collectively make a significant impact on the well-being and success of our children and our community as a whole.
Together we can make LE the place to be!
PLACE 2 Name: James Keeton
Age: 75
Previous Public Service: US Army Veteran (Viet Nam Era) Liberty Eylau ISD Board of Trustees 27 Years; North East Texas Regional Vice President of Texas Caucus of Black School Board Members; Texas Alliance of Black School Educators Governance Chairman; Cofounder (Golden Life Member) and past President of The Northeast Texas Alliance of Black School Educators (here in the ARKLATEX); Selective Service Board; Advisory Board for the Salvation Army in the Texarkana Region etc.
How long in the district: 50 Years
Current job: Retired Civil Servant & Disabled Veteran
Why are you running for school board and what are your qualifications?
I am continuously running because I have the Passion for Success for all students. I know they can achieve if given a great education with qualified teachers/instructors with the passion to meet the day to day challenges with resources to match. I was afforded a great education in public schools and I know the same is possible today. Lastly my Parents taught me and my siblings this saying and I still try to honor their wishes. “Once a Task has begun, Never leave it till’ it’s done, be the labor great or small, do it well or not at all”!!! I’m not done.
How can the district improve teacher retention?
Teachers want to do the best job they can educating their students, however there are some factors that cause some educators to rethink their careers. The lack of appreciation for what they have to deal with on a daily basis, the lack of discipline in the classroom, the lack of support from administration, the lack of support from parents or guardians, the lack of support from the community and lastly pay. Those items I just mentioned are reasons many are leaving so to fix that is to show more appreciation for what they deal with, get discipline under control, parents must support the efforts educators with many of those discipline issues along with the community’s efforts volunteering their services and resources. We must pay our educators as well according to their success or nonsuccess. Salary generally isn’t the motivator but it helps.
Is the school district adequately addressing student safety and mental health?
Liberty Eylau ISD has made great strides putting in place those Safety protections for Students and Staff. We have our own Police Department with Officers assigned to each campus, protections are in place to prevent unwanted visitors and there are all kinds of detection devices in place. Possibly the only thing we don’t have is fencing around all total campuses. Several Years ago I was asked to come to Tyler, TX meet with Gov. Abbott about School concerns. I asked about the growing population of Mental Health in Schools and a few months later he dumped a pile of money into Mental Health that we LEISD were able to benefit from. More Mental Health Counselors are needed since the COVID era. We are addressing those issues with current funding but more help is needed.
What will you do to enhance fine arts and career and technical education programs?
I am a proponent for the Arts and CTE Programs in LEISD. Over the years with the help of other board members, we added many courses to our existing program. We have one of the most complete CTE Programs in the area. Many of our students leave with certifications and skills where they can go to work immediately after graduation. Over the years we’ve partnered with local business finding their needs and preparing many of our students to be employed by those entities. Those students entering college in many cases earn monies through the CTE Trade to pay their way to a four year college without getting loans. The Arts are a must, most students that are in the arts become successful in their careers.
What role should the community play in supporting public school education?
Schools make Communities what they are. They add value to the community for businesses and home ownership. Property owners pay taxes that support our schools. They are the stake holders with the purse string. … There are District Teams, Committees (PTA or PTO’S) and Clubs (Band, Track, Football, Tennis etc) where they can volunteer showing students they care and show support. Most of all during School Time it is important those residents that can offer their services to assist classroom teachers in their efforts to make Great Citizens in our Community. Lastly Parents/churches We need your Personal Support so we can provide the Best Education we can provide for your Child or your Church Member.