The public had questions. The candidates had answers.
More than 70 people turned out Wednesday evening to hear the platforms of 10 of the 13 candidates seeking seats on the Richmond County Board of Education, at the HUB for Community Innovation Augusta, 631 Chafee Ave. Members of the Zeta Xi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority organized the events. Questions and responses were moderated by Augusta anchorman Brad Means with TV station WJBF.
The candidates and their platforms:
Charlie Hannah, District 2
In a nutshell: There's still work to do. "I'm running for re-election simply because I want to continue with the promise that I originally made when I first got into office." That's the expansion
of career, technical and agricultural education, to ready graduating students for successful careers in the workforce or the military.
Skill set: A trained electrician, and currently a legal services and property management specialist.
The big issue: He chose three because he said they're connected: teacher retention, school safety and absenteeism. "The solution: Work as a team. The solution is not to constantly criticize. If you see a problem, analyze it. Let's put something together."
Dr. Kenyatta Brown, District 3
In a nutshell: Accountability over mere promises. "I believe our children deserve leaders who are going to put them before politics, listen to the community, support our educators and have intentional decisions on how we're shaping our schools."
Skill set: T.W. Josey High School graduate; assistant professor in Augusta University's College of Nursing.
The big issue: Literacy. "If we can get the kids into the schools we can keep the teachers in school, but if they're not able to read, they're not able to do math, they're not able to do science or anything like that."
Janice Ramirez, District 3
In a nutshell: Student advocacy. "One thing you should know about me is I put the kids first all the time. I've seen how some kids graduate from the system and they still are struggling. They feel like there's not a place for them after they're done with high school."
Skill set: Community advocate for students and their parents.
The big issue: Teacher retention. She said willing applicants, herself included, have been turned away. "I do believe those folks down there at the Board of Education should be sent back to the classroom. If there's a vacancy they should sit in that classroom and teach our students until we fill that position."
Dr. Carol J. Yancy, District 3
In a nutshell: Leadership that will listen. "I want to lead. I want to listen to everyone, not just one side, the parents as well as the educators. I want to be engaged in everything that's going on and keep you engaged in everything that's going on."
Skill set: Taught school for 36 years, retiring in 2021 as principal of the Augusta Youth Development Center.
The big issue: Teacher retention, "and I think the teacher retention is due to the lack of certified teachers as well as the poor salary."
Edward Lowery, District 6
In a nutshell: Responsive incumbent leadership. "I do believe that we must keep everyone informed with what's going on with our children and our child's education.
Skill set: Former school system employee and community activist; elected to office in 2023.
The big issue: Student attendance. "If you don't go to school you cant receive an education that the teacher's there and ready to help you with."
Charles "Chuckie" Williams, District 6
In a nutshell: Accessible and visible leadership. He said he has coached and mentored Augusta youth for 20 years. "I've done everything from go to tribunals to buy school clothes, to pay bills, to do anything I can do to make sure a child is successful."
Skill set: Served as a mentor with the organization Reach One Teach One in Augusta and is active with local public initiatives.
The big issue: Leadership. If the same school system leaders stay, so will the recurring problems. "I think it starts at the top. If we correct the leadership then everything else will follow."
Lisa Martin, District 7
In a nutshell: She spent years volunteering in parent-teacher associations and working with Girl Scout troops, and in visiting many schools in Augusta and elsewhere she "just saw little things I have learned in my 35 years of being a supporter."
Skill set: Served on Georgia PTA boards, and was education chairwoman for the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce.
The big issue: Literacy. She said Richmond County pupils "only 40% of our children are reading at grade level in third grade" when other similarly challenged school systems score higher, according to her research.
Venus Cain, District 9
In a nutshell: Inspired to return. An incumbent elected in 2006, she planned to retire at age 70. "But then my phone started ringing. People started saying, 'If you go, what do we have?' A lot of people feel like our school system is not getting a fair shake. Do we have issues? Yes. But those issues can be overcome."
Skill set: U.S. Army veteran and civilian federal employee
The big issue: Economic inequity. "We have a large population of homeless students that do not attend school. Until that loophole is closed, we're not going to be able to move our system in chunks like everybody wants to see it happen. We have to do it slowly."
Delvin T. Howard, District 9
In a nutshell: A parent with a plan. He calls it "The Equation": Community plus parents plus students equals success. "I come to you not just to be a politician, because that's not my thing. I'm an involved parent in the school, hands-on daily, and I have my own vision. I'm not just coming to get a seat."
Skill set: Owner of general contracting business.
The big issue: Leadership. "Better leadership, better situation. New leadership, new ideas."
Brad Owens, District 9
In a nutshell: Fresh leadership practicing radical reform. "No more incremental change. Incremental change got us to the bottom of the bottom. We need radical change to get us off the bottom right now."
Skill set: Goverment security contractor supervising thousands of employees.
The big issue: Relevant curriculum. He calls it "cotton mills vs. TikTok." Current courses of study were organized a century ago, but technology and trade skills now should be an emphasis, "to be sure we're teaching our children something they need to know when they walk out of the door so they can get a job."
This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Ten school board candidates share visions for Richmond County
