For the final question of the discussion, host Gary Daigneault asked each candidate his infamous “magic wand” question, where if money or legislation was no object, what improvements would they wish for their district. Starting with Johnnie Ward Jr, he wished big for all his teachers to be millionaires before suggesting more robust media programs and technological updates.
“I’d just catch up technologically with the students first and then we go from there… we wouldn’t have MPR’s, we’d have auditoriums instead. Upgrades to get us caught up with the times.”
When incumbent Robert Hamilton was asked, he agreed with upgrades but put the focus on the campus and fully trained and accommodated teachers.
“Assuming I only get one, it would be to have well outfitted campuses with fully staffed fully trained teachers to the point where we have small class sizes where each student gets their individual needs met which can’t always happen in an overcrowded classroom and provide housing to new teachers that are coming into the district.”
Finally, Karolee Hargrove replied with a more detailed, community-oriented vision:
“Community Schools. Imagine every campus has a dedicated area that not only would have counseling services for parents and students both to attend together, but we would also have classes to help parents with low-income USDA loans, how to get help with your medical or if you don’t qualify for medical how can we bring Covered California to you or insurance. We would offer high school diploma programs, we would have a food pantry, we would have a daycare, we would offer a laundry room where parents and kids can go and do laundry there, so they don’t have to drive if a vehicle is a problem. We’d build partnerships with MBTA because we are a ‘transportation-needed’ type basin. We’d offer those shots that you need, we’d offer all vaccinations that you may need in one spot—not waiting for appointments. For staff, we would offer live scan for TB, then you would be able to submit to get refunded for that. We’d work with applications, we’d bring in the military, we’d bring in job fairs—totally community run schools. I’m so passionate and I really want to see this happen.”
