Lisa Hudson Briggs was not opposed for this seat in the 2024 school board elections. She will assume the seat for its remaining term. The seat will be up for a full four-year term in 2025.
Why are you the best candidate for School Board?
I have given a great deal of thought to what I can offer. My family is four generations of graduates that were educated in the Indian River School District. I need to be involved in the future of education. Why? My past experience includes interacting with various state and local agencies. I am also able to reach out to numerous groups and organizations to ensure that the district provides a well rounded education.
How will you prioritize improvement to student academic achievement, particulary reading and math?
I want to first evaluate the ratings within the district and then research the different methods to present to my fellow board members on how to increase basic reading and math scores. Other districts have overcome these issues, and we need to find a method to do the same. To make this work, the board will need to support the staff in achieving these goals.
What steps will you pursue to strengthen the connection between parents and the school system?
In my opinion, the missing part of the equation is interacting with the parents and the community together. Therefore, I feel it is necessary to have regular community meetings with the parents and community members. I also would encourage those who live in the Indian River School District to look at the district calendar, attend the monthly school board mtgs and speak during the public comment section. I would also encourage the district to utilize the media and use the school notification program to inform the public of any and all meetings. An informed public is an educated public.
How will you ensure that parents will be made aware of proposed or new regulations or policies that affect their children?
Once again, I plan on having open meetings with the community to enable those who live in the district to understand the ramifications of the proposed or new regulations. What has been lacking in the past is direct communication with the community to ensure they understand how the education is functioning or nonfunctioning. It will be my goal to reach out and not back to the community.
What steps should be taken at schools to create a safer learning environment?
The Indian River School District was the first district to implement the school constable program. In addition, they have hired more school resource officers. I will continue to support that effort. I will work diligently to look for new technology to ensure school security. One of my goals is to create a safe learning environment for our students/staff.
What changes should be made, if any, to local and state funding to maximize the amount that goes directly to producing academic achievement?
Currently, education is one of the largest components in the State of Delaware budget. Therefore, I’m of the opinion that it’s not the amount of money but how the funds are being allocated. Are they being used to achieve the maximum amount of return for our investment. Realizing that money is not the answer to all the problems, the learning atmosphere must be addressed also.
How will you commit to increasing classroom transparency - including but not limited to curriculum - with parents?
As I have stated before, it is my intention to have community meetings to ensure that the community is aware of any issues that are facing the district. I believe it is not in the best interest of the school to come forward to the community only for referendums. We need to look at community-based schools where everyone is involved. Community/parents need to know their schools and how they can reach out as well with their valued input.
How will providing curricula that defines people as oppressors and oppressed based on group identity such as race or sex either help or hinder students in their interactions with the world around them?
The school’s job is to educate students for the future. We need to return to that basic principle. As we move forward, we all know how society changes; however we are charged with the duty to guarantee that a student who graduates from a Delaware high school is a well-rounded individual prepared to contribute to society. Learn to work together treating each other with respect. Differences are what makes all of us different and interesting. School should be a positive learning environment where kids of all types learn to work together. Always being more positive.
In what circumstances would it be considered acceptable for material that contains visual or written depictions of sexual acts to be presented to students in the classroom or in school libraries?
I believe that such topics should be taught at home by the parents before any such material is provided to the students in an academic setting. I will advocate for interaction with the parents as to not intrude on their parental rights or duties. Certain content should always be age appropriate. I will work diligently to ensure the family values are protected. Once again, I think it is imperative that these matters be brought forth to the community to reach out and not reach back.