Jasper Fleming, candidate for Durham school board
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Candidates for Durham County School Board, District 1
Candidates in the nonpartisan race for Durham County School Board will be elected to four district seats and two consolidated district seats, based on where they live in the county. District 1 candidates are Emily Chavez, Jasper Fleming and Curtis Hrischuk. Get to know the candidates in our 2022 Voter Guide.
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Name: Jasper Fleming
Email: jasperlfleming@gmail.com
Political Party: Democratic
Age: 37
Campaign website: JasperF4DPS.com
Occupation and employer: Financial Analyst
Education: Master’s
Have you run for elected office before? No.
Please list highlights of your civic involvement: This past weekend I did a free giveaway (shaved ice, chips, infant diapers and diaper bags). Volunteered in DPS Adopt a School with my church A number of community activities with my fraternity (Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity)
Who are your top three campaign contributors? Patricia Hampton, Corey Leak, Tierre Ransey
What are your top three priorities for Durham Public Schools? Students, Pay and Transparency
What does DPS do well? In what areas does it need to improve?
DPS is very good at recruiting educators into the area, however I think we need to work on how to keep teachers and staff in Durham Public Schools. We have a thriving mentor program that helps with keeping teacher and staff in our area. We also need to look into affordable housing as well as ensuring all of DPS staff along with teacher are getting the support they need from school leadership. I think DPS also is working toward more equity in our district, but we still have a long way to go and more work to be done. The conversation is a start, and that means we are moving forward in the right direction
What about your life experience makes you the best person for the school board?
I have a child that attends DPS. I care deeply about her education. I want to make sure that DPS is providing her and other students with a quality, equitable public education. In addition, my spouse was an employee with DPS for over 14 years and was not making an affordable wage for the roles and responsibilities of the many jobs that he performed. Lastly, I would say asking parents in district 1 what do you believe we need to do to make school more exciting for our children.
How should the school board evaluate the superintendent and make that process more transparent to the community?
The superintendent is evaluated once a year; when conducting this evaluation we would use the strategic plan metrics as a guide; also, we would incorporate the North Carolina Superintendent Evaluation process that is produced by State Board of Education Department of Public Instruction
Should anti-racism education be taught in the schools, and is DPS doing an adequate job teaching Black history?
DPS is not doing an adequate job in teaching Black History. Black history should be taught all year long and not just one month a year. We need to make sure that we are teaching the true history. We need to make sure that our teachers are trained properly and understand why history is important. It is imperative that all children understand the history of this country.
What strategies, policies and program would you advocate to raise the academic achievement of Black boys in the school system?
We have to understand that black males have different needs. Establishing an understanding of relationships coupled with the modeling of high expectations and consistency. Males of color generally thrive in academic settings where they feel “heard and understood” while also being pushed. In addition, we have to understand and make sure that they know that their opinion matters. Shifting their focus to relevant learning experiences in an environment that is engaging, nurturing, while also challenging them will have a positive impact on academic achievement.
•Retrain our teachers
•Offer mentorship
•Culturally relevant curriculum
•Understand school discipline
How can DPS reverse enrollment losses and de facto segregation in its schools?
We have to be intentional on how we communicate the great things that are going on within DPS. Highlighting all the good that our educators and students are doing each and every day. We need a comprehensive communication plan that will enable us to truly get out in the community and highlight the work that our schools are doing and bringing the community into our schools. We have to make sure that our district lines are drawn appropriately so that we are not segregating our schools.
How can DPS better support teachers and other staff and reduce turnover?
Take the time to hear what issues teachers are facing and work with teachers to fix the issues. Teachers, support staff along with classified works work hard and very long hours to provide our students with what is needed to help them achieve, but yet many of them get push back. Administration continue to push teachers to do more without considering the full plate that they have. We have to acknowledge not just teachers but also all of DPS staff for the work that they do. We must provide more opportunities of celebration and rewards to those that are going beyond the call of duty. Services awards should be given to employees .The program will recognizes employee service at five-year intervals.
Describe one idea you would like the school board to consider even though it might not be universally popular
Affordable housing for DPS employees, I understand that DPS school board is working hard to make this happen. I would work with Durham County Commissioners and the state of NC to get laws passed to make this happen for our DPS employees.
How can DPS partner with charter schools or learn from their examples?
The Charter School Act, was passed in 1996 and was set to only open 100 schools in the state of North Carolina. What educators can learn from charter schools is how to think outside the box as well as how to give the teachers more ownership in their teaching of a culturally relevant curriculum.
This story was originally published April 25, 2022 at 1:20 PM.