Seven candidates. Three open seats. This one is tough to choose from
Time’s running out with the election coming up on Tuesday, so let’s get to the rundown. We’ll do this based on the endorsement level. Let’s start at the top (in no particular order).
Crystal Cobbs: Cobbs is making her first run for office and she’s a strong candidate. She’s worked for Danville Public Schools, has children in the system and organized a parent support group. She’s strong and well-spoken. She’s right for this job.
SouthsideCentral gives Crystal Cobbs our highest endorsement. We strongly urge you to vote for her in the upcoming election.
Michelle Cahill: Cahill is also making her first run for office and she’s been just as impressive. She’s a teacher so she is already a good fit. Her key point is to continue the progress on increasing performance. We need someone with teaching experience on the board, and she’s ready to jump in.
SouthsideCentral gives Michelle Cahill our highest endorsement. We strongly urge you to vote for her in the upcoming election.
Brandon Atkins: Atkins is another candidate on the first run for the office. His strong points include five years of teaching experience, but he’s also got a very useful skill set in financial matters as he’s also a banker. With this dual set of experiences, Atkins is also at the top of our list.
SouthsideCentral gives Brandon Atkins our highest endorsement. We strongly urge you to vote for him in the upcoming election.
Tyquan Graves: Graves is making his first run for office and he’s only 21 years old. Normally, I’d immediately discard that blueprint and move along. Not with Graves, though. He was highly visible and active during his school days, being a strong leader & role model. He’s continuing his work in the system, working with Americorps. Graves is an inspiration to school children and I’ve got no problem elevating him up to the school board (even at his age).
SouthsideCentral gives Tyquan Graves our highest endorsement. We strongly urge you to vote for him in the upcoming election.
We’ll take a timeout here and explain what’s going on. Yes, we’ve made four top-level endorsements for only three available seats. That’s because all four of these people are excellent fits for the school board. It’s a damned shame that one of them has to lose the election, but that’s the way it is. Danville Public Schools will win (and so will the city) with whatever combination you choose out of these four.
Now let’s look at the rest of the field…
Philip Campbell: Dammit. I really wanted to endorse the long-time incumbent because of his experience and vast knowledge of the school system. Unfortunately, Campbell showed absolutely no fire in his reelection bid this time. That’s so unlike him, but he was outworked & outshined by the four candidates I’ve endorsed above.
If Philip Campbell does get reelected to the board, I’ll still be happy because the school system will keep a strong advocate. I can’t tell anybody to not vote for him. He’s really that good.
Joyce Glaise: Sadly, Joyce Glaise has been just as lost in the past as she was in the 2016 city council elections. Glaise has the educational experience that qualifies her, but she’s been erratic and rambling. I have to recommend that you do not vote for her.
Shawn Giggetts: Giggetts has been pretty much of a no-show for the entire election cycle. I know nothing about him, nor anything about his position on the issues. It’s the candidate’s responsibility to sell themselves, and Giggetts has been a giant No Sale. This is the first time that I’ve ever used this template.
SouthsideCentral gives Shawn Giggets a Not Qualified rating. We strongly urge you to not vote for him in the upcoming election.
So, there you go. Four highest endorsements for Cobbs, Cahill, Atkins and Graves. Vote for three of those four and the school system will continue to improve.
Campbell’s an acceptable choice as well, but we veer far away from Joyce Glaise. Giggetts gets the rare Not Qualified tag.
I hope you take these endorsements into consideration when you vote on Tuesday.
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