Atlanta Board of Education District Races Preview: District 6

Seven of the nine seats are contested.

WABE’s Rose Scott previews each district race.

Broadcast version of this story.

Retired educator Dell Byrd told WABE she’s running on a campaign of inclusion and collaboration.

“You have to be a team player – can’t do it by yourself,” says Byrd. “It’s like being able to work with a body and accomplish the goals that we’re setting out to accomplish, it’s imperative that you be able to do that.”

Byrd says the negative publicity of the current board has fractured the faith of the public.

One of Byrd’s opponents, Anna Wofford McKenzie, is a former educator and has run for election before.

She says it’s time for a board member that the community can count on.

“Very seldom do we see them unless they are pontificating about themselves. It has never been about students and that is where our concern needs to be — directly on the student’s success,” says McKenzie.

McKenzie also says Atlanta Public Schools needs more vocational and specialized education.

Like McKenzie, candidate Shawnna Hayes Tavares believes APS needs to provide more resources to students.

Tavares is running under the slogan of not a politician but a parent and says the district 6 board member needs to be the bond between parents, the board and the district.

“[We need to] make sure our wrap around services are fully funded and that we do give the areas that are needed equitable resources,” says Tavares. “Equitable does not always mean equal. It means that we give the resources wherever the resources are needed.”

Wrap around services provide support outside of the classroom for example, after school care and mentoring programs.

Spelman graduate and attorney Eshe Collins says there is a disparity among APS schools and it’s time to create policies that will benefit all students:

“We continue to hear the conversations of North Atlanta vs. South Atlanta. Now we’re at a point where we see those conversations and those things have truly had a horrible impact on our children, and it’s time for us to really come together and provide educational outcome for all of our kids.”

The winner for the district 6 seat will be a newcomer to the Atlanta Board of Education. Former APS board member, Yolanda Johnson, chose not to seek re-election this year.

*WABE’s broadcast license is held by the Atlanta Board of Education.