Election 2020: Q&A with Phenix City Board of Education at-large candidates
To help Phenix City and Smiths Station voters decide which local candidates to support in the Aug. 25 municipal elections, the Ledger-Enquirer is publishing a series of stories about the contested races in a Q&A format.
Today, we feature the at-large seat on the Phenix City Board of Education, which has become an elected governing body after previously being appointed by the Phenix City Council. The candidates are Florence Bellamy and Kendyl Sumbry Tarver.
Although there isn’t an incumbent in this race, Bellamy served for 25 years (1989-2014) on the board, including as the board’s first Black president. She also served as president of the Alabama Association of School Boards.
Bellamy, 62, is director of the Helping Families Initiative of Russell County. She retired from the State of Alabama after working nearly 32 years as the child support coordinator for the Russell County District Attorney’s Office and later in adult protective services with the Russell County Department of Human Resources.
Bellamy graduated from Smiths Station High School. She earned an associate’s degree in secretarial science from Chattahoochee Valley Community College and a bachelor’s degree in human services from Troy State University.
Tarver, 32, is an early childhood education instructor at Columbus Technical College, where she has worked for the past year. She worked for eight years in Phenix City Schools, including as a long-term substitute for sixth-grade reading and social studies at Phenix City Intermediate School, a second-grade and kindergarten teacher at Meadowlane Elementary School and a third-grade and second-grade teacher at Ridgecrest Elementary School.
She also coached Central High School basketball cheerleaders for two years and was a substitute bus driver for one year. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority.
Tarver graduated from Central High School. She earned an associate’s degree in liberal arts from CVCC, a bachelor’s degree in early childhood and elementary education from the University of Alabama-Birmingham, a master’s degree in early childhood and elementary education from the University of West Alabama, and specialist’s and doctoral degrees in curriculum and teaching from North Central University.
Why should Phenix City residents vote for you over your opponent?
Bellamy: “I have devoted my talents and service to the betterment of my community. I know that I have the courage, commitment and compassionate dedication to work through difficult times, like the unprecedented times we are in right now. I have not left the field of servant leadership work for our community, especially with our students and families. I continue to develop partnerships within the community in hopes of meeting the needs of families in need of financial assistance, food and clothing.”
Tarver: “I stand for purpose over politics. I was born and raised in Phenix City, so I’ve witnessed the many changes our school system has encountered. I’ve participated in two Phenix City Schools accreditation periods. I am a great listener. I am not afraid to speak up for what’s right. I am fresh out of PCS, so I can relate to many current trends within the system, and I am ready to bring innovative ideas. I am ready to use my creative skills along with COVID-19 guidelines to ensure that our school system can promote academic success and do it in a safe way for students, parents, faculty and staff.”
What is the most important issue in Phenix City Schools, and how should it be addressed?
Bellamy: “COVID-19 has challenged and continues to challenge every aspect of our lives. I have heard from parents, students and school employees who just want to know that their concerns are being heard. I would like to see improvement in community engagement between the school board, the students, the employees and our community stakeholders. What affects one affects all. We can all rise and be our best together.”
Tarver: “The most important issue in PCS is COVID regulations and guidelines and providing students with a quality education in the midst of a pandemic. Many parents, teachers and faculty/staff are concerned with the well-being of students and school employees. It should be addressed through continuous research and implementation of system-wide plans. The well-being of our students, teachers and faculty/staff must be taken more seriously. These are people’s lives at stake.”
What else should voters know about you and this election?
Bellamy: “I have the experience, leadership and dedication to be an effective school board member on day one. In these unprecedented times, what we do as school board members will impact the lives of our students for generations. What we decide and vote on at the school board table matters.”
Tarver: “I am ready to serve the Phenix City School System, and I want to see: fair equality for all schools; student, teacher and parent accountability; and academic success for all students — no matter the ethnicity, disability or socioeconomic background.”
