Shameka Parrish-Wright

Creating a dual reside system could be beneficial to students. The goal of student assignment should be to allow students to be active participants in their learning by giving them a choice and to increase their exposure. I think "dual reside" should be the same County Wide with transparency of the process so all students have options and don't feel overly profiled or lost if they don't get into a magnet program. Zip codes shouldn't determine the quality of education. In all things equal, families don't want to lose opportunities for individualgrowth, resources and diversity. All of which, have been proven through extensive research; as instrumental in public education being the “great equalizer”. I would support changes that are focused on removing barriers for parents, students and teachers by increasing access. I have been a homeless student and parent and I worked hard to keep my kids in school. My public school education was one of the most consistent factors that saved my life. Last, as a parent with students in elementary, junior high and high school; I will do all I can to make every JCPS site appealing to students no matter where they live.

My children and I have experienced schools with police officers as SRO's and school security guards that answer to the school system. Students and teachers want to feel safe. Police will always be available to protect people, liberties and properties. In our school, we need people that are well trained and evaluated to educate our youth at every turn. JCPS needs a complete overhaul when it comes to school security and to do something bold to that shows our youth it's time to heal. I would support Student Resource Officers that answer to JCPS. They should not look or dress like police or carry guns. There should be clear levels to discipline issues that include restorative justice practices to begin to dismantle the school to prison pipeline. Our youth know when they or another student are being treated unfairly. I care about the school to prison pipeline and the alarming rate of disconnected youth including young white males. Student/peer led disciplinary forums (teen or student court) is a great way to approach school safety issues.. Furthermore, JCPS staff should look like the student body with programing that continuously fosters by-stander, sensitivity and anti-bullying training.

I am an avid proponent of Restorative Justice in our schools and evidence has shown that these practices yield great results. Thus, I would support the most comprehensive practices within JCPS and additional training for our teachers on “RJ” practices. As school board representative, I would fully support community forums that strengthen awareness and education on best practices around restorative justice. This is another area students and their families can be instrumental in decision making. All JCPS stakeholders benefit in this “village” approach.This also gives students the conflict resolution skills they will surely need later in life. I was engaged in this issue and a part of the early meetings with JCPS. Personally, I saw my niece through the “RJ” process. Professionally, I see it take place every day through my work with The Bail Project. I know restorative justice works best on a case by case basis. Our youth understand fairness and can grasp the concept of true justice if we show them that learning is interchangeable. It gives agency to students on either side. I would work to ensure it is applied before the police or court system are called in to intervene (if and when possible).

Dismantling systemic racism requires innovative and ongoing efforts. I will work closely with the 30 schools in my District 4 and provide support needed to ensure they are on target to meet their own site-specific racial plans. I would strongly encourage diverse student and parent input at every level. Over the years I have provided certified diversity, by-stander and cultural biased training to a variety of groups and businesses including the Floyd/New Albany Public Library Employees, The Kentucky Commission on Human Rights and more. We have to be inclusive and intentional around discrimination especially as our demographics continue to shift. To do so effectively, JCPS as the strongest pillar in every community, must continue to embrace diversity. Every encounter with students is a direct example of the adults they can become. We create better adults by exposing our youth to racial fairness, gender equality, and social justice that levels the playing field. I believe in a culture of acceptance and zero tolerance for bullying. Leaders in diversity and anti-discrimination remain so by framing and consistently communicating the goals and policies in a way that permeates through every site no matter what time of day you walk in a school.

Sex education should be comprehensive and reflective of the student population we serve. Therefore, LGBTTQQIAAP inclusion should not be optional as it is a part of the purpose of public education. Being inclusive of everyone in the community means we call everyone in to gain understanding. I want our youth to make the best choices. We want our youth to survive and thrive. This happens through healthy relationships. My stance is that our youth need to be educated about sex beyond virginity, HIV and teen pregnancy. School can be one of the safest settings for youth and families to get reliable education needed to stay healthy and feel welcomed.

The public school system is a critical institution in our democracy. JCPS is the 27th largest school district in the US and everything we do for our students matter. I support public schools in every way and see charter schools as privatization of a public institution. The public school system can do anything a charter school does. Additionally, accountability for tax money used for public education should not be privatized with no oversight. With that said, I believe families should have the ability to choose what works best for them. Our state legislators made their decision with a 23 (for) to 15 (against) senate vote on charter schools but as the JCPS District 4 Board Member, it is my duty to serve and elevate the largest school system in Kentucky. About 1 in 7 of the children in our state of 120 counties, attend Jefferson County Public Schools. The funding has to stay with them. I and my 6 children are products of the public school system. I now have two grandkids by two of my 3 JCPS graduates. I would want them to attend public schools for quality education.