Deborah Williamson seeks to finish out two-year term on school board

Deborah Williamson is the only candidate on the ballot who is running to finish out the term of Kelly Scott, who stepped down from the Fairfield Community School Board in July. Scott’s position was temporarily filled by Frank Broz.

If elected, Williamson would serve for two years on the board before that seat is up for election again.

The Union sent a candidate questionnaire to Williamson, and here are her responses:

1. Why are you running for the Fairfield school board?

I am running for the Fairfield school board to promote the best education our tax dollars can get. I believe that public education deserves to be prioritized. As a mother who enjoyed sending my three children to public school, private school, and home school, I feel a deep appreciation for our educators and a profound commitment to our children. As an empty nester I have the time to devote my energy and patience to helping prepare our children for the future. As a concerned citizen, I see the many challenges our school board faces, and I feel called to action.

2. What qualifications do you have that would make you a good school board member?

As a project manager, I'm experienced at contributing to a vision, staying within budget, and managing difficult issues. I have experience communicating effectively with diverse stakeholders. I have the capacity to analyze complex issues, make informed decisions, and solve problems. I can work collaboratively with others to achieve common goals and am willing to listen to different perspectives.

I have a strong commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusivity. I understand we face challenges such as school funding, curriculum and academic standards, teacher recruitment and retention, equity and inclusivity, special education services, technology integration, safety and security, facility maintenance and upgrades, extracurricular activities, and community engagement. My community service has included Girl Scouts of America, Fairfield Beautification Commission, Fairfield Cultural Alliance, and Sierra Club.

3. In 2021, Fairfield voters rejected a $34 million bond vote to build a new middle school and make other improvements to the district. Do you think the district should attempt another bond vote for a new middle school? If so, what should the district do differently this time around to ensure the ballot measure passes?

In 2021, I supported the district’s $34 million bond vote to build a new middle school and make other improvements to the district. I was surprised and disappointed when the ballot measure failed. I think the district should attempt another bond vote. It takes a lot of dedication, time, and hard work to pass a school bond issue.

I would start with a retrospective of why voters rejected the bond. I would gather advice from other districts that successfully passed a similar school bond. I believe the money for our schools starts and ends with our community; therefore, my strategy would be to put together a winning team.

I propose we put together a bond committee to be the voice of our community. The bond committee would be responsible for planning and executing a persuasive campaign for the community. The bond committee would actively include our community in planning, would take them on tours of the buildings, would focus on the benefits, and close with the ask, “Can we count on your vote?”. The community needs to feel included, the teachers need to feel valued, and parents need to feel inspired to send their children to schools in the Fairfield district. I am confident our community has the heart and soul to create something we can all be very proud of.

4. An online survey of 669 Fairfield residents conducted by FEH Design earlier this year indicated that 70 percent of respondents wanted the district to downsize from four school buildings as a way to save money. Do you think the district should reduce its number of buildings, and if so, what do you want to see as the new configuration?

I prefer data to opinion. If the enrollment data supports downsizing from four buildings to three, then I would complete a trade-off analysis with weighted criteria to facilitate a decision around that new configuration.

5. Fairfield's enrollment has declined by about 200 students in the last 14 years. Last school year, 114 students open enrolled into the district, while 197 open enrolled out, for a net loss of 83 students. What, if anything, can the school board do to reverse the decline in enrollment, and encourage more families to enroll their children in the Fairfield school district?

I think there is a lot we can do to encourage more families to enroll their children in the Fairfield school district. Fairfield schools cannot be all things to everyone, but we can highlight its strengths. I propose we put together a PR committee to promote our schools. The PR committee would be responsible for drafting a vision, a strategy, identifying platforms, and creating content. The school board would be the decision-making body. Parents could volunteer to be in the focus group.

6. What can the school board do to attract and retain quality teachers? And do you believe the district is doing a good job at retaining teachers, or does it need to improve on this front?

Attracting and retaining quality teachers is quite a challenge. The district could be doing more. We could allocate funds to offer competitive teacher salaries and benefits. We could invest in ongoing professional development opportunities for teachers to help them grow in their careers and stay up to date with best practices. We could establish mentorship programs that pair experienced teachers with newcomers to provide guidance and support.

We could recognize outstanding teachers with awards, accolades, and public appreciation to boost morale and motivation. We could create a safe and supportive teaching environment by addressing issues like classroom discipline, bullying, and mental health support. We could involve teachers in decision-making processes, curriculum development and policy discussions to give them a sense of ownership in the school's direction. We could promote work life balance by setting reasonable expectations for working hours and providing resources for managing stress. We could ensure teachers have access to necessary classroom resources, materials, and technology to enhance their teaching effectiveness.

We could implement fair and constructive teacher evaluation processes that help teachers improve rather than simply identifying weaknesses. We could encourage community involvement in schools to build positive relationships between teachers and the local community. We could consider offering housing assistance or incentives to make it more affordable for teachers to live in the area. We could collaborate with teacher unions to negotiate fair contracts and address teacher concerns effectively. We could offer retention bonuses or incentives to teachers who commit to staying at the school or district for several years.

We could create channels for teachers to provide feedback on school policies, administration, and working conditions. We could maintain transparent communication with teachers regarding budget decisions, changes in policies, and any other matters affecting their work. We could encourage diversity in hiring and provide support for teachers from underrepresented backgrounds.

I would consider it an honor and privilege to serve on our school board. Thank you for your consideration.

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