Candidates Weigh In
The future belongs to children, but only if they are properly educated. Three school board races will decide the future of Inglewood schools when voters go to the polls on June 16.

 Incumbent Arnold Butler is running for re-election against Joyce Randall for School Board Seat 1; Trina Williams is seeking re-election against Carliss R. McGhee for Seat 2; and Renee Dorn is running against Alena Cindy Giardina for Seat 3, which will be vacated by Alice Grigsby.
Here is a preview of what each candidate plans to do if he or she is elected or re-elected to the Inglewood Unified School Board.
Inglewood Today: Given the current state budget crisis, how will you engage the community to solve problems in our schools caused by a lack of resources?
Randall: "The community would be invited to engage in several activities and programs such as mentorship opportunities, fundraising, in-kind-donations, materials support, integration of services offered by the community, and sponsorship activities. IUSD should foster transparency by providing quarterly financial reports to community partners. Also, we need to think outside the box and develop a PR campaign to market the IUSD."
Williams: "I will continue to focus on the fact that we have a collective accountability and responsibility to the children in this community. We can no longer look to the State and Federal governments alone to provide resources. I want community parents, residents, churches and businesses to assist the district with tutorial, athletic and creative arts programs, and funding. We need to embrace the idea that ˜it takes a village to raise a child.
McGhee: "I will engage the community by reminding everyone that we Americans are benevolent. We want to be needed, and our schools desperately need the community. I will solicit retired educators as volunteers. I will actively seek contributions from the community for labor, equipment, materials and supplies to clean and repair the facilities. I come from a strong nonprofit background. I know and believe that if we come together in numbers and as a community there is nothing we cannot accomplish even a STATE BUDGET CRISIS..."
Dorn: "I want to visit all of the IUSD schools to discuss the needs of each campus, ranging from equipment and supplies to staffing and even building improvements. I also want to partner with local businesses, corporations and community organizations to bring in-kind contributions and programs to the district. Inglewood has many talented and successful residents who work in different fields such as business, medicine, law, sports and entertainment. If asked, they would be willing to help the schools as long as they know what is needed."
Inglewood Today: What would your ideal curriculum consist of for middle to high school students to best prepare for the future?
Randall: "I am in agreement with Peter Murrell Jr. In his book, African-Centered Pedagogy, he suggests integrating the historical, cultural, political, and developmental experiences of students into the instructional practice. We can take these transferable experiences cross culturally to allow our young people to better process the world around them. School is the key to the future."
Williams: "I believe dual language programs are necessary for all our students. Dual language classes must continue to be offered at the elementary school level through high school. Additionally, we must ensure that our students have full access to vocational training that prepares them for the job market of today and the future."
McGhee: "My ideal curriculum consists of college preparatory courses, vocational training courses and general educational courses. Unfortunately, because some of our students will drop t before graduating high school, our continuation education program curriculum must prepare these students for entry into the work force. Our curriculum should prepare these students with knowledge and life skills to earn a decent living in the new Green Economy.
Finally, my ideal curriculum would consist of programs to encourage and stimulate students to take personal responsibility for themselves and their community."
Dorn: "There are classes that I think would benefit students whether they plan to attend college or begin working, accounting and finance, so they will know how to manage their money; presentation skills, so they will know how to express themselves in a professional manner for college or job interviews and public speaking opportunities; law, so they will know what laws affect them as middle and high school students and explain to them that their actions have consequences; and strategies for success in college and the workplace, so they will know what to expect when they enter college or a new work environment."
Arnold Butler and Cindy Giardina did not submit statements.