Take Five: SOMA School Board Candidate Stephanie Lawson-Muhammad

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — There are seats opening up on the South Orange-Maplewood Board of Education and Patch caught up with the candidates ahead of the general election this November.

Questionnaires were sent out out to all candidates registered with the County Clerk's Office in the 2019 general election using the email addresses they went on file with. The responses will be posted on the site by those who submitted in the order in which they were received. They will also be included in an election preview wrap.

This Take Five features Stephanie Lawson-Muhammad . Her responses to the questions are below and unedited.

1. Why are you running for BOE?

I’m running this year for the same core reason I ran twice before – I am passionate about equity. I want every child in our district to have the same opportunities, the same high expectations, the same feeling of belonging. We now have concrete plans to bring us closer to that goal, and I want to be part of the team that delivers on our district’s promise of equity for all.
The Long Range Facilities Plan and SOMSD 2021: Intentional Integration and Innovation are
about to make a big difference in how our district functions. I am confident that our new superintendent, Dr. Ronald Taylor, is the right leader to implement both plans. And I believe that it’s critical to this work that the Board has a balance of thoughtful, experienced voices working with energetic new members. I bring leadership and experience to the Board, along with a passion for achieving the equity that SOMSD 2021 promises.

Over my two terms, we have made significant structural changes to increase equity in our district. We eliminated programs that have perpetuated racial separation and isolation at Columbia High School for decades – we eliminated placement tests and opened access to honors and AP classes to all; we transformed our math program to eliminate redundant levels and increase pathways to acceleration for all; we eliminated 8th grade accelerated English, which also led to racial segregation at the high school. We have also aligned our Social Studies Curriculum with the NJ Amistad Curriculum, a critical step in honoring the history and
contributions of African Americans and the descendants of the African Diaspora.

None of these initiatives happened in a vacuum. They started with a Board that listened to what the community wanted and needed, and worked hard to write policy that would reflect that need and would improve the educational outcomes of more students. And the district administration has worked thoughtfully and meticulously to implement those policies for the benefit of all our
students. Of course there have been missteps along the way, as there are in any organization.
But the administration has learned from those missteps and we as a community and a school district have worked together to move forward.

I am proud of the progress we have made, but I also understand just how much still needs to be done. It’s that mix that shapes my approach. While I’ve gained a sobering perspective on the reality of the current state of our district, I am more committed than ever to building the school system that my children and every child in our two towns deserve. We are poised to see
significant change and real progress in the next few years and I look forward to bringing my leadership and experience back to the board in 2020 as I continue to advocate for equity.

2. What is the biggest challenge facing schools in your town, and how will you address it?

Transforming our climate and culture. A local pastor recently centered his sermon around the
impact that culture has on m everything. He said that culture trumps mission, trumps vision,
trumps goals, it trumps everything. We have a lot of work ahead in our district, as I mentioned before. But to reap the full benefits of these important initiatives, we must fundamentally change the underlying climate and culture in our District. I will continue to push for full implementation of Restorative Justice to support the successful implementation of our new Code of Conduct. I will continue to push for effective professional development for our teachers and staff to improve cultural competency. I will work tirelessly to give every student in every building the sense of safety and belonging that they deserve.

3. What three words would you use to describe yourself to someone who has never met you?

Smart, Passionate, Committed

4. What experience in your background has prepared you to be an effective leader?

Over my 25-year career in technology I’ve had the opportunity to lead and manage teams big and small. I’ve managed budgets of over $20M. I’ve supported clients through major technology transformations. I’m a transformational leader in my professional career and I bring that
experience to my work for the children of this district.

5. Tell me something about you, like hobbies or interests, that have nothing to do with the campaign.

My daughter Jordan is a member of Special Dance at Columbia. Inspired by her, I decided to
take dance classes at a local studio last fall and performed with Jordan this summer in the 2019 Built on Stilts Dance Festival on Martha’s Vineyard. It was a wonderful way to celebrate my 50 th birthday!

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