Another Q&A with District 1 candidates for Marion County School Board

Allison Campbell (left) and Beth McCall (right) are the candidates for District 1 on the Marion County School Board in the 2024 election.

The two candidates vying to represent District 1 on the Marion County School Board are both experienced at the role, and it’s up to the voters to decide in August which to choose.

Allison Campbell is running for reelection for her current seat on the school board, while former school board member Beth McCall challenges her in an attempt to rejoin the board.

Campbell has served on the school board since she was first elected in 2020. With three children enrolled in Marion County Public Schools, she aims to be the “voice of a parent” on the board. She recently earned her doctorate in strategic communication from Regent University

Campbell’s time on the school board has been marked with navigating the pandemic, updating the interlocal agreement among the school board, county and its municipalities, and reinstating impact fees to fund construction after a 13-year hiatus.

McCall served on the school board in the District 2 seat from 2016 until her resignation in June 2021. Since she has worked as the director of talent development at the Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership and served on the board of a number of nonprofit organizations, including as executive director of the Marion County Children’s Alliance.

McCall earned a master’s degree in management and leadership from Webster University. She received a bachelor’s degree in education and music from Eastern New Mexico University.

McCall moved homes and now resides in District 1 where she is running for office.

The “Gazette” asked both candidates a second series of questions about their qualifications for office and professional history. Their written answers are included here verbatim.

Q&A with Allison Campbell:

Q: As Marion County’s test scores have been released, we can see that the district ranks on the lower side in comparison to the rest of the state. What factors do you think contribute to students’ low scores in standardized testing? What solutions do you propose to see continued improvements in test scores?

A: For years, our District was nearly last in the state for kindergarten readiness. Having our earliest learners unprepared for school causes the District to have a lot of educational ground to make up. We put VPK programs in every elementary school for four-year-olds and opened the Fordham Early Learning Academy. Those initiatives helped move us to 37th in the state. We still have a long way to go but are improving in that area. It takes time.

A major issue continues to be attendance. Chronically absent students often do not perform well in class and on their tests. To address this, the School Board has aligned with legislators to address state statute changes needed to enhance attendance requirements. We need to continue working to provide opportunities that will give those at-risk students more of an incentive to attend school. Additionally, I have been dialoging with the superintendent about ideas for 6th and 9th graders to help them transition more easily into middle and high school and get off to a faster start at each level.

Importantly, we have provided more robust Career and Technical Education (CTE) classes for students, but if they need intensive reading and math, that limits their abilities to take CTE electives. The new 7-period day schedules in many secondary schools will help with that. Our middle school elective offerings sometimes can offer too much specialization for a full semester. We should go back to life skills classes like old-school home economics and shop classes to introduce students to multiple opportunities that they could potentially specialize in during high school. Those types of classes will help students engage and attend school, which in turn will help them in tested subjects.

Further, the District hired teachers last summer to create full lesson plans and curriculum maps for each tested-subject state standard in K-5. Now that we have state progress monitoring, those examples and plans can help teachers of students struggling in specific areas. Also, as we expand those plans into every tested grade level, and classroom teachers become more familiar with the resources available, we will have more targeted instruction focused on the specific areas of need. Again, it takes time, but plans are in place to help us continue improving. Our vision remains to help every student succeed.

Q: Given the investigations conducted into the district’s procurement policy, you expressed a desire to send the findings of the report to the governor, but the board could not agree on an outcome. Ideally, how do you wish this situation would have played out? Do you feel that there should have been an opportunity for reprimand for the board member who violated district policy?

A: Since being elected in 2020, the School Board had at least one other independent investigation where the report was sent to the Governor. That provides precedent, so I had anticipated that same outcome. However, I do not believe discipline or reprimand of elected officials belongs at the local level except at the ballot box. I appreciate that the Governor alone, potentially in coordination with the state ethics commission, can provide discipline to local elected officials.

Q: Many citizens have expressed concern that it will be difficult to find enough teachers to work in the two new elementary schools and high school, given the number of vacancies within the existing Marion County schools. What solutions do you propose to improve teacher recruitment and retention?

A: Traditionally, Board members shouldn’t interfere with the innerworkings of the operations side of the district. We have approved new positions and job descriptions for recruiting. We have partnered with companies to assist with substitutes, special education teachers, and teachers from other countries. However, hearing this concern repeatedly from many constituents during this re–election campaign has caused me to realize I need to “get into the weeds.” I have experience and expertise in recruiting physicians to Marion County when we had significant doctor shortages, so I can help strategize, coordinate plans, and tell our story to educators who should consider MCPS.

We must identify more students interested in teaching and help them through their education journeys. We must recruit both inside and outside of the state. We must identify more members of our local community who have a “gift of teaching” yet aren’t being fulfilled in their current professions, who can consider teaching as a second career.

For retention, our educators must feel valued and appreciated. They must feel heard. I’m grateful to have received the Marion Education Association (Teacher’s Union) endorsement again, because they know I listen and advocate for their needs. I take those phone calls instead of letting them go to voicemail, or if I’m unavailable, I return calls to try to help in a variety of ways. I continue to believe our professional development courses need to focus on the whole teacher – and not just curriculum – courses that consider financial health, mental health, and other personal development can help educators be better professionals. Student discipline continues to challenge classrooms, so administrators must uphold policies and the code of student conduct to protect the sanctity of the classroom for instruction. If teachers are supported, heard and valued, we can keep more of them encouraged and excited to tackle the vitally important jobs they do.

Q&A with Beth McCall:

Q: As Marion County’s test scores have been released, we can see that the district ranks on the lower side in comparison to the rest of the state. What factors do you think contribute to students’ low scores in standardized testing? What solutions would you propose to see continued improvements in test scores?

A: Attendance plays a crucial role in the educational development of children and youth. When students are not regularly present in school, they miss out on essential lessons, social interactions, and the overall structure that formal education provides. This absence can hinder their academic progress and long-term. Truancy court has returned to Marion County.  These are problem solving courts that are designed to help families and get to the root cause of why children are not in school.  Parents of students that habitually miss school may face criminal charges. Parents need to understand that their involvement is key to ensuring their children’s consistent school attendance and, subsequently, their learning and development.

The emphasis on early learning is anticipated to significantly enhance student achievement over time. When I previously served on the board, we took a proactive step by instituting the Fordham Early Learning Academy, recognizing the crucial role early education plays in a child’s academic and social development. Currently, each elementary school offers a Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) program, designed to prepare four-year-olds for the rigors of kindergarten. This program addresses various developmental areas, including literacy skills, social skills, and other foundational competencies essential for early success in formal education.

Historically, many children entered kindergarten without the necessary readiness skills, placing them at a disadvantage from the start. The VPK program aims to bridge this gap by providing young learners the tools they need to thrive in a classroom environment. By focusing on literacy, social interaction, and other critical skills, VPK helps to level the playing field, ensuring that all children, regardless of their background, have a fair chance at academic success. This early intervention is not only beneficial for the students but also alleviates the pressure on kindergarten teachers, who can then build on a stronger foundation.

I firmly believe that the emphasis and resources dedicated to early learning will yield measurable improvements in student outcomes as these children advance through the educational system. By the time these VPK participants reach third grade, we can expect to see a significant increase in their standardized test scores, reflecting their enhanced readiness and ability to meet academic challenges. This forward-thinking approach underscores the importance of investing in early education as a means to foster long-term academic achievement and overall student success.

Q: Given the investigations conducted into the district’s procurement policy, do you agree with the school board’s decision not to send the findings to the governor for further review? If you were serving on the board, how would you have handled this situation?

A: I agree with the decision not to send the findings to the governor for further review.  Steps have been taken to look at the process for procurement by forming a committee comprised of industry experts and others. The formation of this committee represents a much-needed step in the right direction. It demonstrates a commitment to continuous improvement and accountability within the procurement process. By taking these actions, the organization is positioning itself to better manage resources, ensure fair competition, and ultimately deliver greater value. This strategic approach not only addresses current challenges but also sets a strong foundation for future success.

Q: Many citizens have expressed concern that it will be difficult to find enough teachers to work in the two new elementary schools and high school, given the number of vacancies within the existing Marion County schools. What solutions would you propose to improve teacher recruitment and retention?

A: Recruiting and retaining teachers is indeed a formidable challenge that many educational institutions face today. One innovative approach is the “grow your own” strategy, which focuses on nurturing potential educators from within the community. By encouraging paraprofessionals who exhibit the potential to become teachers and offering them scholarships to complete their degrees, we can create a dedicated and well-prepared workforce.

Additionally, cultivating high school students within Education/Training Academies to pursue careers in education and return to teach in Marion County establishes a sustainable pipeline of future educators. This approach not only addresses the shortage of teachers but also ensures that educators are deeply connected to and invested in their community.

Our greatest resource is our people, those that day-to-day step into the classroom providing not only teaching but parenting, counseling and much more. They should be respected and regarded as professionals.  They should have the resources they need and the support to do their jobs.  I would work diligently to ensure teachers have excellent staff development to stay up to date with trends and new curriculum.  I would encourage mentoring and coaching of new teachers from veteran highly effective teachers.  I would promote wellness and self-care initiatives within the district to keep our teachers mentally and physically fit.  To build a positive culture where those working in it want to stay and thrive, a community of trust and respect must first be built.