Veteran educator Anna Reed says she has concerns about the curriculum of the Monroe City Schools and she wants to push for changes.
Reed is a candidate for Monroe City Schools in District 5, a district that has no incumbent. Of the three women seeking the post being vacated by Reverend Rodney McFarland, Reed is the only one with educational training.
A retired educator, Reed has three bachelor’s degrees in education, business, and management; four master’s degrees in Education, counseling, criminal justice and sports administration, is presently classified as “ABD” -All But Dissertation toward her doctorate in Education. All of her degrees have been from Grambling State University since 1977.
“I want the board to pay attention to curriculum issues beyond state mandates,” said Reed, announcing her candidacy. Reed says that she is the only candidate in her district who actually attends board meetings regularly over the years.
“Education is not a stepping stone for me. It’s important” she said emphasizing that the board has rarely discussed curriculum issues such as the need for improved reading skills, cursive handwriting and the availability of full arts programs at all city schools, especially the high schools.
She said Neville has a thriving theater program because of the extraordinary efforts of Patricia Turner a passionate teacher. Theater and other performing arts are not part of the city school’s required secondary curriculum, said Reed.
Reed has unsuccessfully run for the position before, each time against McFarland, who had no educational experience.
Reed said she thinks the board should seriously review the career track diplomas it issues to students to be sure that parents understand the full impact of choosing the career path diploma over a regular high school diploma.
This year each of the district’s three high school graduated dozens of students with career track diplomas that cannot be used to go to college in future years. CT Diploma holders will be required to enroll in Delta Community College for two years to finish high school courses before they can transfer over to college if later they want to enter a four-year college.
Reed said curriculum issues such as these would be her main concern, but she is also concerned students have certified teachers and the system provide adequate help to its support staff.
As a board member, Reed said she will actively seek out the views of her constituents on major issues and be open for input so that she can represent the district adequately.
