Recently, there was a panel hosted by the Student Advocacy Center of Michigan. In this panel, there were all candidates for the upcoming school board election answering general questions and laying out their plans for if they are elected. There are currently six people running for three spots including Leslie Wilkins, Ernesto Querijero, Glynda Wilks, Megan Kanous, Don Wilkerson and Eric Sturgis. Here are each candidate’s top priorities and how they will try to carry their plans out.
Wilkins’s top three priorities are working towards equity, sizing the budget and reestablishing trust with the community. She plans on championing our students who are not currently being well served by the district. Including special education students and students from historically excluded communities. She also plans on championing our Title 1 schools.
Querijero is a returning school board member who is trying to promote a student-first culture. He believes the school board does not have enough student voices and is dedicated to flipping that script after many failed past attempts at bringing in student voices. He also prioritizes financial stability with the recent AAPS school board shortfall in the budget. He believes in having transparency in what the school board is spending money on. Querijo is also promoting equitable decision-making via a DEI officer, and he wants to uphold our commitment to sustainability.
Wilks works on prioritizing finance and having a “sound fiscal responsibility within this district.” Wilks believes that all funding should align with district goals; she argues that if we prioritized this, then we could have avoided the 25 million dollar deficit. Wilks also believes in the right to literacy; her goal is to focus on everyone being able to read. Wilks also wants to develop strong and powerful relationships revolving around funding so we can do more for our students and staff.
Kanous believes the board should get another strategic plan underway so that we know we are putting our funds where they need to be. Her top two priorities are creating a new strategic plan and fiscal responsibility.
Wilkerson expresses that he wishes to rebuild trust within the district surrounding finances.
“My top priority would be stabilizing the finances. It’s critical, and it’s going to drive our ability to accomplish anything in the district,” Wilkerson said. “Whether it’s supporting students’ needs attracting or retaining strong educators with competitive wages.” Wilkerson also believes the board has not been focused on all students; he also believes we need a three-to-five-year plan. He also believes “trust is broken in our community.” He will work to rebuild trust by focusing on students and will have transparency.
Sturgis’s top priority is student success, including providing the resources and opportunities necessary for them to succeed. He also believes we need more responsibility when it comes to handling money, which the current board did a poor job. Causing students, parents and the community to suffer. Additionally, Sturgis believes we need to address equity in a more in-depth way. Last, he believes a DEI officer would also help the community a lot.
Overall, all of these candidates are looking to help you/your community. So do your research and go vote and fight for what you believe to pave a better future for the community.
