Decatur Board of Education Candidates In Nov. 5 Election

DECATUR, GA –Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for DeKalb County voters Tuesday. Those undecided voters still have time to learn about the candidates and cast their ballot. Races to watch in this 2019 election are the City Commissioners and Decatur Board of Education races, although the three school board candidates are all running unopposed.

Patch sent a questionnaire for all of the Board of Education candidates to complete by deadline. We will update the story as they respond.

Jana Johnson-Davis

Jana Johnson-Davis is running for the At-large seat on the city schools of Decatur School Board.

PATCH: How do you think being a former teacher will help you serve in this position?

JJD: I think my experiences as a former teacher will give me a unique perspective as a Decatur School Board member. My experiences will allow me to look at policies from the vantage point of a classroom teacher who understands the school environment on a granular level.

PATCH: When did you really know you wanted to run for office? Did your desire and motivation stem from any particular incident or experience?

JJD: Once the At-Large member of the School Board resigned, I began receiving text messages and phone calls from community members suggesting that I run for the seat. One of the phone calls that I received was from Elizabeth Wilson, the first and only African American mayor of Decatur. At the age of 87, Ms. Wilson continues to be an activist in the community, especially around the issue of equity in education. As I reflected on Ms Wilson’s sacrifices and continued contributions, I decided that it was time for me to do more in service for the children of Decatur.

PATCH: Were you surprised to be running unopposed? Initial thoughts?

JJD: I believe that the residents of Decatur have an appreciation for my experiences as an educator and an activist, which is why I am unopposed.

PATCH: Can you briefly describe the mission of the Beacon Hill Black Alliance for Human Rights organization you started with your husband? Is the achievement gap for students of color a big issue in the district? How do you hope to address it?

JJD: I am a part of group of community members who co-founded the Beacon Hill Black Alliance for Human Rights. The mission of the Beacon Hill Black Alliance for Human Rights is to empower, advocate, educate, and organize people of African descent affected by systemic racism and oppression on issues of equity in education, housing, and the legal system in the city of Decatur and surrounding communities. The City Schools of Decatur has acknowledged an achievement gap between African American students and their white counterparts, and the district is actively addressing this important issue. Unfortunately, there are no overnight solutions. It is a process that will take time to correct an issue that has plagued the district for many years. As a School Board member I intend to ensure that the School Board keeps equity at the forefront of all policy making.

PATCH: What's your overall vision for the district? What would you like to see?

JJD: My priorities as a School Board member are:

• Promote continued collaboration among community partners, local elected officials, and school personnel to ensure that positive student outcomes and responsible financial stewardship are at the forefront of decision-making
• Encourage ongoing strategic planning that closes the achievement gap, while ensuring that the City Schools of Decatur continues to be recognized as one of the top-tier school systems in the State of Georgia and nationally
• Ensure that all children are afforded opportunities to excel based on evidenced-based practices for optimal student outcomes
• Identify practical solutions for critical challenges including equitable education, student enrollment growth, and the recruitment and retention of diverse school administrators, teachers and staff, which are consistent with our community’s values

The other two Board of Education candidates are James Herndon, who is running for Board of Education District 1, Post B; and Tasha Rose White, who is running for re-election for the District 2, Post B seat.

Here's a list of polling locations, according to the City of Decatur website:

Clairemont East: First Baptist Church of Decatur, 308 Clairemont Ave.

Clairemont West: The Church at Decatur Heights, 735 Sycamore Dr.

Glenwood Precinct: Holy Trinity Parish, 515 E. Ponce de Leon Ave.

Oakhurst: Oakhurst Baptist Church, 222 E. Lake Dr.

Ponce De Leon: First Christian Church of Decatur, 601 W. Ponce de Leon Ave.

Decatur: Evergreen Baptist Church, 303 Fourth Ave.

Winnona Park: The Richards Center at Columbia Theological Seminary, 701 S. Columbia Dr.

Find you polling location online or call the election office at 229-243-2087.

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