Election 2020: Q&A with Phenix City Board of Education District 3, Place 1, candidates
.png "Likitca Thomas-Ligon (left) and Katrina Collier-Long (right) are running for the Phenix City Board of Education District 3, Place 1 seat in the Aug. 25, 2020, municpal election.")
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 3, 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 Katrina Collier-Long and Likitca Thomas-Ligon. Neither is an incumbent.
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.
Ligon, 40, is a military student transition counselor and a consultant for the Russell County School District.
She is president of the Columbus-Phenix City Tuskegee Alumni Club, an executive board member of the Tuskegee-Morehouse Classic Committee, music director at St. John AME Church and director of Women of Praise Community Choir.
Her other community involvement includes memberships in Delta Sigma Theta sorority, Alabama Democratic Committee, NAACP and Community Action Reform.
Ligon graduated from Central High School. She earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from Tuskegee University and a master’s degree in teaching language and literacy from Kaplan University.
Long, 43, has been principal of Reese Road Leadership Academy since 2017. She was assistant principal of Fort Middle School (2010-17) and a special-education teacher in the Muscogee Count School District (2007-10).
She also has worked in Phenix City Schools as a secretary and bookkeeper (2004-07) and at three local banks: Columbus Bank and Trust (2002-04), First Union Bank (2000-02) and Phenix Girard Bank (1996-2000).
Long graduated from Central High School. She earned an associate’s degree in business from Troy University, a bachelor’s degree in human services from Troy, a master’s degree in special education from Columbus State University and a specialist’s degree in educational leadership from Georgia College & State University. She is working on a doctoral degree in administrator leadership for teaching and learning from Walden University.
Among the honors Long has received, the Georgia Association of Secondary School Principals selected her as its 2016 Middle School Assistant Principal of the Year, and the Rho Rho Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority gave her its 2011 Emerging Young Leader Award.
Long’s other community involvement has included United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley community investment volunteer and Relay for Life team retention committee member.
Why should residents in your district vote for you over your opponent?
Ligon: “I am a proven leader that has been advocating for people, especially our children, for all of my adult life.
“I am here to help make those decisions, whether hard or popular, that will help further grow all of our students to their fullest potential. I am a true believer that all children can and will learn.
“I am a great candidate for this office because I will always use my voice to be an advocate for quality education in a fiscally sound system that offers programs that engage and grow all students. I will vow to always listen with not only my ears but also my heart.”
Long: “I am a lifelong District 3, Phenix City resident. Not only did I attend Phenix City Schools, my daughter graduated in 2016 and my son is a current seventh-grade student. I am committed to being a lifelong learner and advocate for children. I am passionate about my community. I want residents to vote for me because I am very knowledgeable due to my experience and humble beginnings as a school secretary, middle school teacher, assistant principal and elementary school principal. I believe our community deserves someone who is accountable and transparent.”
What is the most important issue in Phenix City Schools, and how should it be addressed?
Ligon: “I think that all issues are important. However, if given the opportunity, my first priority is the safety of our children, faculty and staff. In this pandemic and this state of civil unrest, we must value everyone and ensure to the best of our ability that everyone is safe.
“I want to remain transparent and approachable; parents should not have to worry about the safety of their children. I want to always make sure that each child is receiving the best possible educational opportunity and adequate resources so that they can perform at an optimal level. I want to also be in a position to help protect our operating reserves while ensuring that we remain within budget.
“PCBOE is one of the largest employers in our city, and I want to make sure that during this critical time we won’t have to put more of an economic strain on our faculty, staff or their families.”
Long: “Currently, the most important issues facing Phenix City Schools and the nation right now is how to address the COVID pandemic and safely educate all of our children. In March, schools closed abruptly, and districts made many decisions just to have a means to an end. Now we are faced with opening schools under the same circumstances.
“What I would like to see differently with opening schools is an equitable opportunity for all students as we begin the school year. Parents should not have to worry about the quality of their child’s education merely based off socioeconomic status.
“Broadband connectivity and Internet should not determine if a child should attend school in person or virtually. We have enough resources in our community to foster great partnerships to ensure that the safety of all stakeholders is a priority and the quality of education does not lack.”
What else should voters know about you and this election?
Ligon: “They should know that I have a vested interest in making PCBOE the best school system in the state, region and nation. As a parent of a current student, I want the best educational experience possible for her. As a result, for wanting the best for her, I share the same passions as other parents and stakeholders.
“I am a parent who can identify with the needs and concerns of other parents in our school district. I am someone who Leads, believes in Equality, true Visionary, works for Excellence, Listens, believes in Unification and Professionalism. Let’s LEVEL UP with Likitca Thomas-Ligon.”
Long: “I am a solutions-oriented, pragmatic problem solver who will bring great leadership to our school board. I am passionate about our children’s education and prepared to help ensure a culture of excellence for all of our kids and the families that we serve.”
