A'Londa Barber

A'Londa Barber

Contact

Personal website

A'Londa Barber was a candidate for Place 5 representative on the DeSoto Independent School District school board in Texas. Barber was defeated in the by-district general election on May 6, 2017.

Elections

2017

See also: DeSoto Independent School District elections (2017)

Three of the seven seats on the DeSoto Independent School District board of trustees were up for general election on May 6, 2017. Place 3 incumbent Karen Daniel defeated former board member Van Stripling and challengers Demetric Brown and Jeremy Woods. Tiffany Clark defeated Place 4 incumbent Jerry Hall, DeAndrea Fleming, and Krystal Denise Sams in the race for the Place 4 seat. In the race for the Place 5 seat, incumbent Aubrey Hooper defeated challengers A'Londa Barber, Laneshia Jordan, and Darrell Porter.

Results

DeSoto Independent School District, Place 5 General Election, 3-year term, 2017
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Aubrey Hooper Incumbent	41.50%	849
Darrell Porter	23.51%	481
A'Londa Barber	22.78%	466
Laneshia Jordan	12.22%	250
Total Votes		2,046
Source: Dallas County Elections, "2017 Joint Election," accessed September 20, 2017

Funding

See also: Campaign finance in the DeSoto Independent School District elections

Barber reported no contributions or expenditures to the Dallas County Elections Office as of May 1, 2017.

Endorsements

Barber was endorsed by businesses and individuals in the district. Click here to see a list of her supporters.

Campaign themes

2017

Candidate website

Barber highlighted the following statement on her campaign website:

“	As a high school graduate of the public school system and now a parent of a Desoto ISD student, I believe our schools must play a central role in allowing each child to discover their own passion and equip them with the tools for success. In order for this to happen we must go back to the basics where we put our community, parents, students and teachers first. A safe and inclusive learning environment for every student and teacher within our district. Establishing a positive culture and climate within our schools. Ensuring cohesive and systematic support for students beginning with Pre-kindergarten through high school, college, life and career. Expanding access to early childhood education, summer enrichment and after school programs. Promoting 21st century learning into everyday teaching. Building an environment where teachers feel valued. Attracting and retaining quality teachers. Building and elaborating on teacher leadership development. Fostering diversity in staffing and recruiting. Providing adequate resources for educators. Cultivating a positive relationship between the community, parents, students and teachers. Ensuring the school board listens to the community, parents, students and teachers. Expanding and strengthening community partnerships. Fostering alignment amongst Community activists, Desoto City leaders and District staff. Preparing our students for success beyond the classroom.	”
—A'Londa Barber (2017)

The Dallas Morning News survey

Barber participated in the following survey conducted by The Dallas Morning News. The questions provided by The Dallas Morning News appear bolded, and Barber's responses follow below.

Why are you running for this office, and why should voters choose you over your opponent(s)?

“	I am running for office because, I am a concerned parent and not a politician. As an active and involved parent, I understand the importance of a safe learning environment for every student and teacher within our district; building an environment where teachers feel valued and cultivating a positive relationship between our community, students and teachers.	”
—A'Londa Barber (2017)

If elected, what two issues would you give the most attention and resources?

“	If elected the two issues I would give the most attention and resources to would be: Ensuring cohesive and systematic support for students beginning with pre-kindergarten through high school, college, life and career as well as providing a safe and inclusive learning environment where our students and teachers feel valued.	”
—A'Londa Barber (2017)

For non-incumbent trustees: Have you attended any school board meetings? If so, what have you learned about how a board member can be effective?

“	Yes I have attended numerous school meetings. I have learned that as a board member I can be effective by listening to the community, parents, students and teachers while providing results which are in the best interest of school district. I also have learned that our district is only as strong as the leaders who lead, participate and actively engage themselves in the schools as well as the community in which they serve.	”
—A'Londa Barber (2017)

As you look around the country, what innovative ideas would you recommend for improving classroom performance?

“	I would recommend eliminating the use of personal electronic devices including, but not limited to cell phones from the classroom. This would reduce the amount of distractions and interruptions which prevents the students from maximizing their learning and developmental growth. I would recommend the district taking advantage of grant funding and resources available to them which would assist in providing the electronic devices, tools and resources needed for the students and teachers in the classroom which will still align with becoming a district of innovation and promoting 21st century learning.	”
—A'Londa Barber (2017)

Given the current funding structure, how does your district meet the academic needs of its low-income students? Are you willing to ask voters to approve a tax increase to create or expand these programs?

Barber did not respond to this question.

Many districts are exploring creative ways to save money or shift costs to parents and students. What creative measures would you favor or oppose and why?

“	I would favor the district streamlining the following: * The guidelines regarding use of district company credit cards * The means and ways in which we communicate district wide and school specific information to parents.	”
—A'Londa Barber (2017)

The state has adopted an A through F accountability system for district and campuses. Do you favor or oppose this system and why?

“	Based on the information which has been made public regarding the A through F accountability system, I oppose the adoption of this system. This system rates the schools and districts in 5 areas: How well do students perform on standardized testing, How are students performing on standardized testing over time, How are students from low income families performing compared to other students, How prepared are students for college and life after graduation, (based on attendance, courses, dropout rate and graduation rate) and Community and student engagement (base on factors the school and district choose). This rating system is not a direct reflection of what happens in the classroom nor does it focus on the opposite end of the spectrum such as the quality of instruction, STEM course and clubs, career and technical education, fine arts and many more.	”
—A'Londa Barber (2017)

How would you assess the district’s efforts to improve graduation rates and increase the number of students prepared for college? What further improvements would you advocate?

“	I would advocate for Advancement Via Individual Determination Program (AVID) in Desoto ISD.	”
—A'Londa Barber (2017)

What schools in your district have been particularly effective in getting every child up to grade level in reading and math?

Barber did not respond to this question.

How would you assess your district’s current school choice efforts, and what changes are needed?

“	I would initiate a committee who would review the current guidelines and processes which are in place and ask them to submit recommendations, if any, to the school board for consideration.	”
—A'Londa Barber (2017)

How would you assess your superintendent’s performance?

“	I would assess the superintendent's performance in two parts: Academic Achievement Evaluation on academic goals and Management Performance Evaluation on ongoing management responsibilities of the Superintendent. There would be the beginning of the year analysis, goal setting and action plan, mid-year performance review, superintendent self-assessment, performance review and superintendent performance ratings.	”
—A'Londa Barber (2017)

Where do you stand on the importance of early-childhood education? Would you support increasing class-size ratios at other grade levels in order to introduce or expand pre-K?

“	I am a advocate of early childhood education as I believe it is the foundation for any child's educational future.	”
—A'Londa Barber (2017)

What resources are lacking in schools in your district? How could the district deliver services in the most cost-effective manner?

Barber did not respond to this question.

In what ways can your district’s communications with parents be improved? Likewise, how can parental involvement in your district improve?

“	The district's communications with parents can be improved by streamlining the methods used and sending out communications in a timely manner. The district could also eliminate the different types of communications for various events and/or reminders. They could send out one general form of communication which would be all inclusive and can be done via voicemail and email. Every parent wants to be involved in their child's education and extracurricular activities. If the district restructures their ways and means of communicating, it will afford the parent to be able to better plan and prepare for the events involved with their child's school and/or district.	”
—A'Londa Barber (2017)

See also

• DeSoto Independent School District, Texas
• DeSoto Independent School District elections (2017)

External links

Suggest a link

• DeSoto Independent School District
• Campaign website
• Facebook page