Christina School Board candidates Janiene Campbell and Shannon Troncoso discuss their platforms during a candidate forum held by First State Educate this week.
Campbell and Troncoso seek to fill the lone open seat on the Christina board this year as the district copes with controversy and change.
The current Christina Board recently voted to elevate Deputy Superintendent Deidre Joyner to district superintendent after ousting former Superintendent Dan Shelton last year. Shelton is suing the district over his dismissal.
The district has also faced recent issues involving FOIA violations and board residency concerns.
Campbell is a mother of two who has acted as a PTA treasurer and PTO vice president. She also founded a food pantry in New Castle County.
Troncoso is also a mother of two and a criminal defense attorney.
The two agreed improving student outcomes is imperative. Troncoso said she wants to be a student-focused board member.
“What's important is that we set goals, measurable goals, for what we would like to achieve, and then we have periodic – whether that be quarterly or monthly – check-ins with the superintendent to see how that goes,” Troncoso said.
Campbell said she sees statistics as an important part of the process.
“I would analyze both academic and non-academic data to identify the root cause or challenges. Then work with the board to prioritize the top three to four critical needs of the district.”
Both agree that school board members play a role in student success. Campbell said the Board should evaluate school and educator success largely through student outcomes.
“If students are not progressing, it signals that we as educational leaders must reassess our strategies and make necessary changes,” Campbell said. “In addition to student outcomes, the board should ensure measures such as school climate, teacher development and how effectively resources are being used to support learning.”
Troncoso said a school board member’s responsibilities lie in governance, not in micromanaging schools.
“I think it's constantly staying in communication with the superintendent and helping to refine her plan, but not to get caught up,” Troncoso said. “Because I think that's the misnomer. We're not there to get involved in the day to day operations of a school or a principal. We're there to support the superintendent in reaching the long term goals of the district.”
The candidates agreed changes need to be made to address discipline disparities and to avoid streamlining students to the school-to-prison pipeline.
“First of all, I do not agree with more school resource officers,” Troncoso said. “School should be the front line of hope, not despair. We should be helping to build people up, not tear them down. And sometimes some of the first interactions with harsh discipline, kids experience in school, and that sets them off on the wrong path.”
Campbell focused more on staff. She said everyone has personal biases that they haven’t been trained to recognize.
“That's why I think all school staff and board members should take part in cultural humility training,” Campbell said. “... When people are more aware and understanding, it can lead to fair discipline in schools and help reduce the number of students pushed into that school-to-prison pipeline.”
School board elections statewide are Tuesday, May 13.
