SHANNEL ROBERTS QUESTIONNAIRE



Name: Shannel Roberts

Town: Maplewood

Years living in district: 10

Children in district: 1

Occupation: Executive Assistant


Why do you want to be on the school board?


“The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” Socrates

Community organizing is in my DNA and as far back as I can remember I was always one who kept my neighbors informed on the various issues of our two towns and encouraged involvement.  When it comes to our youth, “it takes a village” and experience is the best teacher.  Communication, Common Sense, and Courage is what I will bring to the South Orange Maplewood Board of Education.  Like my SHERO, Marva Collins, who died this year, her dismay with the low levels of learning she felt students were experiencing led her to pioneer teaching methods that are still used today.  Her students were deemed troubled, learning disabled, and socio-economically disadvantaged--labels that have stigmatized black students in our district, and my Hilton neighborhood.  We need to make the necessary changes in our education system that contradict our towns’ diversity.

Like Marva, I have a passion for student success, but in order for students to succeed parents must feel empowered that they have a voice in the process, and educators must be equipped with the necessary tools (in a timely manner) to govern their job effectively.



 What is your top priority for the district?


Communication is key as it will provide transparency and build trust with our stakeholders.  Board members serve the community, not the other way around.

I would really like to re-examine our district budget line by line and eliminate wasteful spending.   We need to re-evaluate the “Let’s Talk” program that has the potential to cost our district $19K the first year and as much as $25K over the next three to five years. Team SOMA believes that the culture and climate in our district need to change before we even think about spending a lot of money on a technology tool.  I support Dr. Ramos’ quest to get “back to the basics” but instead of committing to what I believe will be wasteful spending, let's work together to find basic, cost-effective ways to change the culture of the school climate and boost staff morale.  It is then that teachers and administrators won’t mind picking up the phone and returning our calls and emails by the end of the school day--not in 48 hours.



How would you cut costs without cutting education? 


I believe my previous answer provided a window that budget is a priority for me. I and the rest of Team SOMA 2015 believe in the idea of bringing in an independent outside auditor to examine the budget line by line.   But what I won’t do is vote for a blank check or rubber stamp my approval for budgetary items in which I firmly disagree. With almost 20 years experience in nonprofit business, I will apply my entrepreneurial skills to get things done efficiently and effectively.  Again, it would be my responsibility as a board member to communicate so all stakeholders can understand and help with the process. 

Board members should not feel pressured to make major budgetary decisions in one meeting.  Just like purchasing a new home or car--wait 24 hours before you commit.   Which is why Team SOMA firmly supports two meetings a month for more sound decision making.



What is your opinion of Dr. John Ramos and did you support his hiring?


It is too early to know really. When the board hired Dr. John Ramos, I was excited about the diversity.  My experiences with the past two superintendents were not good ones, and the cultural disconnect was even greater.  I was disturbed about how the process for choosing the superintendent was not as transparent as I would have liked.

I did get a chance to meet him at Columbia High School last month, and I look forward to the education summit in November.  As parents and stakeholders of the town, we need to attend this summit.  I believe it will provide him with more opportunities to learn about our issues. 

As a community, we are excited about the possibilities but tired of pressing the restart button.  We want continuity without the lip service.  Our children are at risk and for many it is already too late.



How will you improve district communications with residents and parents?


From a technology standpoint my running mate, Elissa Malespina is the leading expert and Bammy Award winner, and could assist our district in this area.

The culture shift is going to have to happen from the top down.  Dr. Ramos seems to be on the right track by extending some face time, but not everyone has bought in.  I’d like to see new initiatives communicated in advance to the teaching professionals so that they have time to learn and implement the materials effectively.  They should not be blindsided which leads to parent frustration because of the teacher’s lack of knowledge.  How can we put the puzzle together if we don’t have all of the pieces?  Again, it is the children who will continue to suffer from the mismanagement of the district.



Should the board increase to two meetings per month to avoid late actions?


ABSOLUTELY YES! As I stated two meetings can help address communication and budget issues.



What would you do to reduce the number of standardized tests for our students such as NJ ASK and PARCC?


I opted my daughter out of the PARCC exam and will continue to do so.  She is much more intelligent than a standardized test score, and I refuse to have her viewed narrowly; especially because she is well-rounded from her involvement in the arts, sports, and volunteerism.

I believe when students have access and are supported in an environment that fosters excellence they will achieve—and then we all win!


How would you change math placement in the upper grades?


I support the “Contract for Choice” policy that is one of the many that is not followed.  Parents have complained time, and again that navigating the math program is confusing and administrators can be unhelpful, but again it may be because it is unclear to them too.  The math program is one of the most racially segregated programs in our district, and if we’re going to make a dent in the achievement gap, we must make access for all students a priority.  We can begin by enforcing and publicizing the policies that exist.



There have been many complaints about team coaches being dismissed, how would you make sure fairness is exercised in such hirings and firings?


As a parent, I am entrusting this district with not only the educational development but with the safety of my child. We have had too many instances lately of students being made to feel unsafe by adults in the district. The damage done in some of these cases is irreversible, but I respect the privacy of the families as they need time to heal.  It is my job as a board member to engage the administration, understand all sides, and take swift appropriate action.  It is the board’s responsibility to create a valid, enforceable policy that clearly dictates how incidents are investigated and how the results of those investigations are shared.



Anything else you want to say?


People will tell you that I am a force of nature, and I am passionate and dedicated to the success of our children.   Helen Keller said “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”  If elected, Marian Raab, Elissa Malespina and I will work hard with all stakeholders to re-establish our district as the blue ribbon school district it once was. 

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