Election 2020: Q&A with Phenix City Board of Education District 1, Place 1, candidates
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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 District 1, Place 1, 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 the Rev. J. Brady Baird and Marilyn Brannen.
The seven-member board will have two representatives from each of the city’s three voting districts, plus an at-large representative elected from all ballots in the city.
Baird, 34, is the only current member of the appointed school board running to retain his seat on the elected board. He has been on the board for four years and the vice president for two years.
He is the pastor of Seale United Methodist Church. He also is rental manager for Heavy Yellow Equipment.
Baird graduated from Oxford (Ala.) High School. He earned a bachelor’s degree in theology from Spring Hill College and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Alabama.
Brannen, 73, is retired after 44 years as an educator. The first 30 were in Phenix City Schools. She taught family and consumer science at South Girard High School. After transferring to Central High School, she helped design and became the director of the New Beginnings Parenting Program to keep parenting teens in school.
She was named the first runner-up for the National Career and Technical Teacher of the Year award in 1999. She also was a guidance director at Northside and Jordan high schools in Muscogee County for a combined 14 years.
Brannen graduated from Elba (Ala.) High School. She earned a bachelor’s degree in human sciences from Auburn University and a master’s degree in K-12 school counseling from Troy State University.
Why should residents in your district vote for you over your opponent?
Brannen: “Public education experience and open communication with members of the community and transparency are paramount to my campaign. I am running for the Phenix City Board of Education because I feel, if you live in a community, it is your civic responsibility to contribute to its well-being by being involved in your community.
“Having worked in the field of education for 30 years in the Phenix City Schools until my retirement, I know Phenix City Schools, and I know the people. I have worked as a teacher, counselor, program director and guidance director. Having been in the school setting, I can understand and empathize with students, parents, teachers and administrators and the issues they encounter on a daily basis.
“Communication between the community and the school board is a must for a successful school district. I plan to communicate and listen to the entire community of students, parents, teachers and the all-important taxpayers. The taxpayers are the people who fund a major portion of the cost of the public education budget and should be aware of where their money is being spent. Transparency is a must for the community to understand the how and why of the decision-making process in our school district.”
Baird: “A vote to keep Brady Baird is a vote to retain our school system’s foundation of success and ensure Phenix City Schools with creative leadership is capable to meet the ever-changing demands of the 21st Century. Over the past seven years, Phenix City Schools has seen tremendous improvement in student achievement.
“During my still-active term, Phenix City Schools has experienced increased test scores and proficiency in the key subjects of reading and math, received system-wide high marks from the state-level ‘A’ report card as well as third-party school system assessor AdvancED. Student graduations have climbed to a rate of 98%.
“Renewed community support has funded STEM centers/labs in every school, and our system has grown from $4 million to $14 million in cash assets. PCS is a leader in our region, serving all students, with access to technology and career preparation. PCS is currently in the best shape in system history, academically and athletically, with a strategic plan built to move our schools on a pathway of continuous improvement.”
What is the most important issue in Phenix City Schools, and how should it be addressed?
Brannen: “Lack of communication by the school board with parents and taxpayers of our public education community seems to be a major issue. Many feel they have no one to voice their concerns to. The community wants to be aware of what is happening and why major decisions are made with no explanation.
“Proof of this was shown when 78% of the voters voted for an elected school board in 2018 rather than keeping the appointed school board. Each district will have two elected members to represent their constituents. The entire Phenix City School District community of taxpayers will have someone they can voice their concerns to.
“COVID-19 is the greatest problem looming over our heads today. The reopening of our schools at this time is a nationwide issue, and there is no one answer to this problem. As new information is made available, I am optimistic that the best decisions will be made by our government and school officials.”
Baird: “Phenix City Schools’ greatest issue of concern is ensuring the system does not regress after recent success and continues to be committed to meet the needs of students and teachers for maximum results.
“To address this issue, it will take all of us in Phenix City holding each other accountable to become the best version of Phenix City Schools possible. COVID-19 has taught in very real ways that the best plans amount to nothing if they are not adaptable and agile. The future for our students will not look like the past.
“Our community must be committed to providing the support and resources to prepare our students for a future that is on a fast track filled with changes, updates and new ideas. We want our students at graduation to be in the best position to pursue their dreams. For many, graduation will be a door out of poverty. It is said it takes a village to raise a child, and I’m inclined to believe that statement to be true.”
What else should voters know about you and this election?
Brannen: “By communicating and working together for the same goals, instead of being divisive, we can make the best decisions for the school system.”
Baird: “First and foremost, I am a PCS parent. I have two children in Phenix City Schools, one of which has special needs in order to be academically successful. I am a proud product of Alabama K-12 public education, and I believe in the power a child receives through a solid classical education coupled with the latest technological advancements and training. My goals for PCS are to see continued enhancement in arts programs, increased lines of two-way communication between our community and our system, more career tech offerings and further developing a culture of success and healthy self-esteem through wholistic student engagement.”
