District 1- Carlos A. Thomas
Q: Are you in favor of raising property taxes? Why or why not?
A: No, property tax is not sustainable way in funding education. Neither is it effective
Q: Pittsburgh Public Schools is facing a systemic deficit of millions of dollars a year, how would you work to address the deficit in both the near future and the long term?
A: I would work to identify what the problem is as well as looking for alternatives to bring revenue to our school district.
Q: Do you think Pittsburgh Public Schools current physical footprint matches the needs of the students we serve? Why or why not?
A: No. The Public School footprint as it stands shows the distinct red lining that has cursed our city throughout the years of gentrification.
Q: Superintendent Dr. Hamlet has started a Student Advisory Panel to incorporate student voice into the administrations. How will you ensure student perspectives are heard and factored into board decisions?
A: As a board member I would want to hear those perspectives first hand. Becoming and staying highly engaged with students is a key way in making sure we are delivering equitable results.
Q: What are your top 3 priorities to improve the district?
A: Community engagement- what the community knows about the school district. Food Policy Educational Environment changes.
Q: What are 3 things you think the district is doing well and how will you support those initiatives?
A: Getting our children back into school is big after the pandemic. The timing may have been off but it’s being done. - community engagement will aid me to see how that works for the families and their students Assessment of the diversity gap, PPS has taken notice of the disparity of black teachers and a diverse culture. I would want to promote teaching as district wide as a profession also highlighting PPS teachers who have graduated this will show that PPS produces quality educators Communication has also improved. Knowing what the direction the administration is moving has been clearly voiced in several factors.
Q: Teaching in Pittsburgh Public Schools is a great opportunity. As a board member how will you promote teaching in the district so that we attract high quality diverse teachers?
A: I would start with our own students and get them excited about education first. They will be the generation to continue the work of making Pittsburgh a great city.
Q: What is your vision of a community school? How will you as a board member work to create partnerships to strengthen our schools?
A: My vision for community schools is in the name. To perfect that model I would host monthly meetings to discuss the metrics of community partners to develop more comprehensive ways to aid our students over time.
Q: What resources do you think schools need to better engage with families with limited English proficiency? How will you advocate for those resources?
A: I believe that in order to be able to engage with these families we must learn to understand their culture, making it easier for them to learn. Simply meeting them were they are.
Q: In general how do you think the district has handled the COVID-19 pandemic?
A: No comment
Q: How are you going to deal with the drop in grades and catching students up both near term and for the long haul?
A: I would strategize with other board members on an effective way to determine how students move forward also looking at alternative ways to catch students up that doesn’t social set them back.
Q: How can you as a board member support increased literacy? What specific programs would you support/ advocate for?
A: To increase literacy I would analyze the material and it’s cultural competence. I would also remove the isolation of what American Literature is.
Q: Will you ensure that non-Christian Students are allowed the same time off from school for major religious/cultural dates such as Yom Kippur/Rosh Ha’Shanah/Passover, Eid, Diwali, etc.
A: These are issues that can be handled within the family dynamic. However making sure that staff and administrators are understanding of ones cultural difference in our attendance policy. Analyzing that information will give us a better perspective on what days the greater student body should be relieved of in person learning
Q: The Jewish community is concerned with rising Antisemitism and a record-low baseline education about the Holocaust; what will you do to ensure that these issues are adequately taught in school?
A: It is hard for me to identify with this narrative because black children across the country have had an alternative version of American history tag but for centuries. However ensuring that the district is teaching from a global perspective is one achievable goal
Q: Locally - and nationwide - enrollment numbers in early childhood programs and kindergarten are down due to the pandemic. As a school board member, how will you provide leadership and support for enrollment in district early childhood programs and kindergarten? How can the district provide support for increased outreach and engagement to Pittsburgh families with young children?
A: I would look at this city wide approach to find similar problems amongst families and try and link them together with a common goal
Q: What role do you think high-quality early learning plays in providing the educational foundation for children to succeed? As a school board director and local leader, how will you work with state elected officials and other leaders to ensure more children continue to receive access to pre-k?
A: The highlight has to be brought to the research. Children start development before birth. Using that as a foundation can help outline our strengths and weaknesses in early childhood education
Q: The 2020 A+ Schools Report to the Community highlighted the joyful learning happening in PPS early childhood education programs. The article focused on the importance of a whole child approach including play-based learning and social and emotional development. How will you support educators and administrators to implement developmentally appropriate, play-based learning in school reopening plans? Additionally, what considerations do you feel need to be made in supporting the mental health, social-emotional development, and physical activity of students during remote learning and as they return to school?
A: To get a full understanding I would introduce a “whole family” plan. A plan that identifies the areas of needs for families starting with early childhood education.
Q: How can the Board be more transparent with COVID and schools reopening?
A: The board can be more transparent being accountable that it was/is not prepared, also developing a plan with community input that works towards long term solutions