Vickie Turner

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Vickie B. Turner

Nonpartisan

Prior offices

DeKalb County School District school board District 5

Successor: Tiffany Tate Hogan

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Education

Bachelor's

Bowling Green State University

Graduate

Troy State University

Personal

Profession

Educator

Contact

Personal website

Vickie B. Turner was a member of the DeKalb County School District school board in Georgia, representing District 5. She assumed office in 2014. She left office on January 1, 2025.

Turner ran for re-election to the DeKalb County School District school board to represent District 5 in Georgia. She won in the general election on June 9, 2020.

Biography

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Vickie B. Turner resides in DeKalb County, Georgia. Turner earned her B.S. degree from Bowling Green State University and her M.Ed. degree from Troy State University. In her career, she has spent more than two decades as an educator and an education administrator. She is employed as the headmaster of The Augustine Preparatory Academy.

Elections

2020

See also: DeKalb County School District, Georgia, elections (2020)

General election

General election for DeKalb County School District school board District 5

Incumbent Vickie B. Turner defeated Delores Brinkley, Willie Heard Jr., and Zehline Davis in the general election for DeKalb County School District school board District 5 on June 9, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Vickie B. Turner (Nonpartisan)	61.5	16,645
	Submit photo	Delores Brinkley (Nonpartisan)	19.0	5,138
	Submit photo	Willie Heard Jr. (Nonpartisan)	10.7	2,904
	Submit photo	Zehline Davis (Nonpartisan)	8.7	2,349
		Other/Write-in votes	0.2	47

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 27,083
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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2016

See also: DeKalb County School District elections (2016)

Four of the seven seats on the DeKalb County Board of Education were up for general election on May 24, 2016. There was no primary. District 1 incumbent Stan Jester, District 3 incumbent Michael Erwin, District 5 incumbent Vickie Turner, and District 7 incumbent Joyce Morley ran without opposition.

Results

DeKalb County School District, District 5 General Election, 4-Year Term, 2016
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Vickie Turner Incumbent (unopposed)	100.00%	10,484
Total Votes		10,484
Source: Georgia Secretary of State, "General Primary and Nonpartisan General Election May 24, 2016," accessed December 14, 2016

2014

See also: DeKalb County School District elections (2014)

Vickie B. Turner and Thad Mayfield defeated challengers Pia Bhatti, Jesse Cunningham and R. Alexander Fitzhugh for the District 5 seat in the general election on May 20, 2014. Although the District 5 seat normally carries a four-year term, this election was for a two-year term. Turner defeated Mayfield in the runoff election on July 22, 2014.

Cunningham was the District 5 member of the board from 2006 to February 2013. He was removed from office by Governor Nathan Deal after an audit conducted by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools revealed issues with board governance, unethical practices and fiscal mismanagement. This led to the district being placed under "accredited probation" status. Governor Deal appointed Mayfield to replace Cunningham as the District 5 representative.

Results

Runoff election

DeKalb County School District, District 5 Runoff Election, 2-year term, 2014

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Nonpartisan	Vickie B. Turner	59.7%	5,194
	Nonpartisan	Thad Mayfield Incumbent	40.3%	3,500
Total Votes				8,694
Source: Georgia Secretary of State, "General Primary/General Nonpartisan/Special Election - July 22, 2014," accessed February 23, 2015

General election

DeKalb County School District, District 5 General Election, 2-year term, 2014

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Nonpartisan	Thad Mayfield Incumbent	36.1%	4,407
	Nonpartisan	Vickie B. Turner	28.1%	3,436
	Nonpartisan	Jesse Cunningham	27.6%	3,372
	Nonpartisan	R. Alexander Fitzhugh	4.5%	549
	Nonpartisan	Pia Bhatti	3.8%	460
Total Votes				12,224
Source: Georgia Secretary of State, "General Primary/General Nonpartisan/Special Election - May 20, 2014," accessed July 10, 2014

Funding

Turner reported $450.00 in contributions but no expenditures to the DeKalb County Department of Voter Registration and Elections, which left her campaign with $450.00 on hand.

Endorsements

Turner did not receive any endorsements during the election.

Campaign themes

2020

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Vickie B. Turner did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

2014

Turner published a list of her priorities on her campaign website:

“ Issues Unify Education in Dekalb Increase visibility of business leaders in the school. Improve and expand technology. Decrease class size. Enforce code of conduct. Increase teacher training and professional development. ” —Vickie B. Turner campaign website (2014) In an interview with 90.1 WABE, Turner answered several questions outlining her campaign themes: “ Briefly describe your background. What qualifies you for this position? I possess over 37 years as a parent, 24 years as an educator and administrator. I have a vantage point that represents the voice of parents and what they want for their children, I have worked in the classroom, observing the needs of our children and I have been an administrator charged with the responsibility to oversee the functions of the school on a daily basis. There is a charge to get involved in bringing solutions to the plights of the students in DeKalb County in particular. Why should voters choose you? What makes you stand out as a candidate? During my 20+ years in education in DeKalb County, I have been a teacher, an administrator and a business owner, embodying the experience and vision which provided a rigorous academic environment and creative strategies that engage the total child. I have worked closely with teachers, allowing them autonomy as to what works best in their classrooms for their students. I have been a shoulder for parents to lean on when they have faced challenges with their children as it relates to education, discipline and parenting skills. I have worked with community, political leaders and civic organizations fostering a relationship that connects our students to a global community. As a mother, I know what parents want for their children, a safe classroom environment and a level academic playing field, that will ensure a successful competitive edge in life. I am a Friend to Teachers, an Advocate for Students and a Voice for the Parents. I am looking forward to serving District 5 with integrity, passion and commitment. What are some of the biggest educational challenges facing the district? How can you, as a board member, address those issues? The most expedient issue is that of returning the system to full accreditation. The “warning” denotes some progress, but there is still much that must be accomplished. Additionally, it is imperative to bring some checks and balances to the system to hold those in authority accountable for progress or the lack thereof. Teachers are having to shoulder low wages compared to their counterparts in other counties, and this largely affects their morale. Teachers need more autonomy in their classroom and the class sizes must be reduced. Teachers, Parents and Administrators want to know that they have a place to share their concerns and can have confidence that the board will address their concerns in a amicable and professional manner. Until recently, DeKalb was on “accredited probation” due mainly to concerns about school board governance. The district recently improved its status to “accredited warned.” But DeKalb still has a long way to go. As a board member, what will you do to ensure the district keeps improving? Again we must have checks and balance within the system. The board must work cohesively as a team with the main focus on what is best for the students, parents and overall community that we serve. There must no hidden agendas, or under the table politics governing the decisions made by the board. As a board member, I plan to be active in the community, hosting town hall meeting with parents to listen to their concerns, and at the same time expressing what we need from the parents to ensure success of their students. According to the Georgia School Boards Association, individual board members don’t have the authority to make decisions about the district. That authority lies with the board as a whole. How will you work to ensure the board makes decisions together instead of pursuing individual agendas? The issues/concerns presented must be for the common good of all students and not just for the benefit of a select body/district. It is essential that the board be informed and fully knowledgeable about the issues confronting the system and lay out strategic plans on how to address them. In order to make informed decisions, the board must clarify the issues and review various alternatives for resolution. The boardroom must remain a place for open, honest dialogue and remove all personal biases when it comes to what is best for the school system as a whole. ” —90.1 WABE interview (2014) In response to a questionnaire conducted by It's For Them - DeKalb, Turner answered several questions outlining her campaign themes: “ 1. What is your understanding of the role of a school board member? In your answer, explain (1) the level of engagement that a board member should have in the affairs and operations of the district and, (2) the relationship between the board and district staff. The school board member is elected to serve their constituents. The SB member must identify and engage the stakeholders into a discussion to determine what the needs might be. The primary focus must be to ensure that best quality education is afforded our students. The SB member should be a friend of teachers, an advocate for students and a voice for parents. 2. Explain your views on the current state of transparency of information at DCSD. It should be open records and open access to the constituents that you serve. 3. How would you inspire parents and other stakeholders to have confidence in DeKalb schools? Rebuild TRUST through improved communications; Town Hall meetings; and by engaging them in a higher level of involvement. 4. What skills, talents, and personality traits do you believe that you possess that would make you work effectively with the rest of the board to get things done? I am a skilled communication and negotiator, possessing the ability to work effectively as a team, a problem solver and a progressive thinker, able to maintain objectivity. 5. How will you enhance the mix of skills and backgrounds on the board and help represent the diversity of the community? By working collaboratively as a team and embracing the sills, abilities, talents and experience that everyone brings to the board. 6. What do you see as the opportunities and threats facing the DeKalb school system? The opportunity to install a progressive thinking leader who will continue in the trajectory of the interim superintendent. Threats in the form of: student apathy; teachers and leaders who have loss their passion and the vision due to largely to the lack of administrative support and parental indifference. 7. Describe the achievement gap in this district. What causes it? What can be done? A disparity in the allocation of student funding; disparity in student programs; and overcrowded classrooms. There is a lack of resources, low parental involvement and student apathy. We must engage ALL stakeholders, validating their voice and concerns. Parent mentors are needed; community leaders involvement in the schools; and programs that interest the students should added. 8. The next school board will likely be tasked with selecting a new superintendent. What will you look for in a candidate? A proven track record of success. The ability to work collaboratively with the stakeholders; former educator and administrator, and a progressive thinker. 9. What is your experience with reviewing complicated budgets? How will you approach the district’s budgetary process from a policy perspective? I have the responsibility for over 20+ years to develop; oversee and allocate funds to ensure a successful school year. I will familiarize myself with the Policies and Procedures of the Dekalb County School System and ensure that they are carried out with fiscal integrity. 10. What needs to be done to ensure the district regains full accreditation, without probation, and what is the role of the board in ensuring DCSD remains in excellent standings with SACS? Evaluate the findings of the SACS report and address the issues that are in question. Identify ways in which to correct the violations and then, Compliance...Compliance...Compliance by adhering to the recommendations. ” —It's For Them questionnaire (2014)

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