Candidate Profile: Dan Baskerville For Decatur Board Of Education

DECATUR — Four City Schools of Decatur Board of Education candidates qualified for a seat in the Decatur Nov. 2 election, two of which are running for the District 2, Post A seat.

Carmen Sulton and Dan Baskerville have qualified as School Board candidates for District 2, Post A. There is no incumbent for this seat as current District 2, Post A Member Heather Tell is not seeking re-election.

Decatur voters will also decide on races for City Commission. Check out our 2021 Decatur voter guide for information on deadlines, candidates and where to vote.

Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as Election Day draws near.

Dan Baskerville is running for the City Schools of Decatur Board of Education District 2, Post A seat against Carmen Sulton.

Age (as of Election Day)

55

Position Sought

School Board - District Two

Party Affiliation

Non-Partisan Race

Family

Kim Baskerville (wife), Jake Baskerville (son)

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

Yes

Education

Master of Public Policy

Occupation

Public Policy/Government Affairs - 0ver 30 years

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

PTA/PTO Co-President

Campaign website

www.dan4decaturschools.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

I want to work toward an inclusive school environment that provides dignity, respect, and an opportunity to succeed for ALL of the children in the Decatur school system.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The provision of an appropriate curriculum for reading, writing and math to meet the academic needs of all learners. By addressing the learning needs of all students, our schools will promote equity in education that has been missing for many. I hope to help reverse the trend of families withdrawing their children from CSD or seeking expensive outside academic support.

What are your short- and long-term goals if you are elected?

My short term goal is to address what I identified above as the most pressing issue, which may require the creation of a special Board advisory committee. Long-term, the goal would be to return Decatur to one of the top rated school districts in Georgia, in not the country.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

Experience. I have deep experience working with government agencies and representatives to bridge divides and get results for communities. I also have significant experience supporting CSD children as a longtime PTA and community volunteer.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)?

No Incumbent running.

How do you think local officials performed in responding to the coronavirus? What if anything would you have done differently?

It could certainly have been better. The lack of a definitive plan, allowed the tone of public conversation to become toxic and divisive. Even worse, many of our students have been devastated by the loss of in-person schooling, particularly those with special learning needs. This has also exacted a toll on many students’ mental health. I believe some creativity, and thinking outside of the box could have gone a long way toward some common sense solutions to get at least students that needed to get back in the classroom, much earlier then they were able to.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

1) Foster a sense of civility among our community in the conversation about our schools. 2) Ensure we are able to maintain safe in-person schooling for all who want it, while at the same time, we need to allow those concerned about sending their children in-person to have a viable virtual learning option. 3) Institute measures to increase transparency. 4) Ensure financial responsibility and accountability.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

- Served 4 years as the Co-President of Oakhurst PTA and FAVE PTO, respectively.
- Former President of 347-Unit Condominium Association
- Assisted community members successfully advocate for additional green space at Talley Street Upper Elementary School.
- Assisted City Schools of Decatur and Decatur state legislators secure passage of the bill (Senate Bill 292) that put the revised Senior Homestead Exemption on Decatur's November 2, 2021 ballot. B
- Facilitated initial conversations between the former Methodist Children’s Home and the Decatur City Commission to advocate for selling the property to the City of Decatur, rather than a private developer. That property is now Legacy Park.

What do you like best about living in your city (or county)?

Its diverse and highly devoted community. The Decatur community has so many smart, dedicated, and talented people with a diversity of experiences and cultural backgrounds.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Be authentic, be yourself, and let people see/hear who you are.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I am a really good listener and promise to listen to all perspectives and consider all constructive feedback. Furthermore, I will be tireless in making sure we don't just talk, but actually take steps to implement policies that will benefit all our children, and to that point I will never forget who we are trying to serve and that is the children.