Danon Middleton
Danon Middleton was a candidate for Jamestown District representative on the Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools school board in Virginia. Middleton was defeated in the by-district general election on November 7, 2017.
Middleton participated in Ballotpedia's 2017 school board candidate survey. Click here to read his responses.
Elections
2017
Two of the seven seats on the Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools school board in Virginia were up for by-district general election on November 7, 2017. In his bid for re-election to the Jamestown District seat, incumbent Jim Kelly defeated challenger Danon Middleton. Incumbent Lisa Ownby won re-election to the Powhatan District seat after running unopposed.[1][2]
Results
| Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools, Jamestown District General Election, 4-year term, 2017 |
||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Jim Kelly Incumbent |
67.84% | 4,034 |
| Danon Middleton | 31.43% | 1,869 |
| Write-in votes | 0.72% | 43 |
| Total Votes | 5,946 | |
| Source: Virginia Department of Elections, "2017 November General Unofficial Results: JAMES CITY COUNTY," accessed November 21, 2017 | ||
Funding
Middleton reported $1,769.12 in contributions and $1,769.12 in expenditures to the Virginia Department of Elections, which left his campaign with a $0.00 balance in the election.[3]
Campaign themes
2017
Ballotpedia survey responses
Danon Middleton participated in Ballotpedia's 2017 survey of school board candidates.[4] In response to the question "What do you hope to achieve if elected to the school board?" the candidate stated on July 26, 2017:
| “ | Strong revisions of policy to better protect students in our schools, better support our teachers in the classroom and hold leadership accountable for any breach of the public trust.[5][6] | ” |
Ranking the issues
The candidate was asked to rank the following issues based on how they should be prioritized by the school board, with 1 being the most important and 7 being the least important. Each ranking could only be used once.
| Education policy |
|---|
 |
Click here to learn more about education policy in Virginia. |
| Education on the ballot |
| Issue importance ranking | |
|---|---|
| Candidate's ranking | Issue |
| Balancing or maintaining the district's budget | |
| Closing the achievement gap | |
| Improving relations with teachers | |
| Improving education for special needs students | |
| Expanding arts education | |
| Improving post-secondary readiness | |
| Expanding school choice options | |
| “ | I believe in equity for students and accountability for division leadership.[6] | ” |
| —Danon Middleton (July 26, 2017) | ||
Positions on the issues
The candidate was asked to answer eight questions from Ballotpedia regarding significant issues in education and the school district. The questions are highlighted in blue and followed by the candidate's responses. Some questions provided multiple choices, which are noted after those questions. The candidate was also provided space to elaborate on their answers to the multiple choice questions.
| Should new charter schools be approved in your district? (Not all school boards are empowered to approve charter schools. In those cases, the candidate was directed to answer the question as if the school board were able to do so.) |
|---|
| No. |
| Which statement best describes the ideal relationship between the state government and the school board? The state should always defer to school board decisions, defer to school board decisions in most cases, be involved in the district routinely or only intervene in severe cases of misconduct or mismanagement. |
| The state should only intervene in severe cases of misconduct or mismanagement. |
| Are standardized tests an accurate metric of student achievement? |
| No. |
| How should the district handle underperforming teachers? Terminate their contract before any damage is done to students, offer additional training options, put them on a probationary period while they seek to improve or set up a mentorship program for the underperforming teacher with a more experienced teacher in the district? |
| Set up a mentorship program for the underperforming teacher with a more experienced teacher in the district. |
| Should teachers receive merit pay? |
| No. |
| Should the state give money to private schools through a voucher system or scholarship program? |
| No. |
| How should expulsion be used in the district? |
| Rarely and only in the most severe cases of criminal offenses. |
| What's the most important factor for success in the classroom: student-teacher ratio, the curriculum, teachers, parent involvement or school administration? |
| Parent involvement Followed by teachers. |
Williamsburg Yorktown Daily Q&A
Middleton participated in the following Q&A conducted by the Williamsburg Yorktown Daily. The questions provided in the Q&A appear bolded, and Middleton's responses follow below.
What do you feel are the three major issues facing the school district right now? What are your ideas on how to address those issues?
| “ | The three major issues facing the WJCC school division right now are Safety, Equity, and Accountability. While redistricting and the continued shortage of bus drivers are foremost on our minds, the three issues above incorporate many families’ concerns that affect everyone.
First, the issue of safety is paramount for our children. But what does safety look like and feel like to a 6-year old little boy? A 13-year old middle-school girl? It means being safe from the pervasive bullying that goes woefully unaddressed in our district. If a child does not feel safe at school how can we expect him or her to learn? A family should not be forced to disenroll from school or sue the district in order to protect their child. The problem can be addressed first through quality Professional Development for our teachers, training them to more quickly and effectively identify signs of bullying and how to mitigate the issue before it escalates. In addition, we need to incorporate a wider array of discipline and resolution strategies for both the bully and the victim. Moreover, the School Board must demand that every administrator and faculty member follow federal and state law regarding IEP/504 accommodations as well as investigative and reporting requirements with appropriate disciplinary action for non-compliance. Finally, a more concerted effort must be made – from the top down – to communicate with parents. Next, equity is a wide-ranging problem in our schools. This includes everything from the lack of diversity in our faculty, the perpetual achievement gaps, disparate student body demography, and the poor preparation of non-college-bound students to graduate high school career-ready. The problem of equity has grown exponentially in the last eight years. It is important to note that the increase is not seen uniformly across the district but is concentrated in certain schools – yet we fund each school equally according to enrollment rather than according to need. Additionally, while WJCC does a magnificent job preparing students for college, we are leaving behind every student that does not fit that mold. The School Board has eliminated programs such as STEP and AVID that are designed to fill that need. Ultimately, equity means providing various specific tools any student needs to be successful – yet we provide just the one tool to every student. Finally, accountability is lacking in our leadership. Every time the law is not followed, policy is repeatedly neglected, or families are ignored, that person(s) must be held accountable. Right now that is not happening. The School Board is responsible for ensuring law and policy requirements are met by the very leaders they hire. If they do not hold others accountable, we must hold them accountable at the ballot box. The bottom line is we cannot fix a problem if we do not acknowledge it exists. For too long these issues have lingered, grown, and gone unaddressed. I seek to change that.[6] |
” |
| —Danon Middleton (2017)[7] | ||
Population data suggests that WJCC may need another high school to accommodate students in the coming years. Would you support the construction of another high school in future budget talks or would you support building additions to division high schools to ease concerns about their overcapacity? If neither of those options are on the table, what is and why?
| “ | There is no denying our district has grown. We are fortunate to live in a wonderfully attractive and historic town that has all the amenities most people look for: Busch-Gardens, Water Country, New Town, CW, a top-tier college – and we still have trees! Another factor that draws new residents is the quality of our schools. So, yes, our schools have grown and will continue to do so.
However, I encourage parents to look closely at the actual enrollment data and the scheduling system we use to determine if capacity is as much of an issue as some claim. There are structural changes we could make that would alleviate capacity concerns and I believe we should at least discuss them before asking the Board of Supervisors to approve another $50 million dollar school building. If, after proper analysis, other options are not feasible, we should look first at expansion of schools prior to new construction. For example, Jamestown High School sits on 80 acres, much of which can be utilized to accommodate expansion efforts.[6] |
” |
| —Danon Middleton (2017)[7] | ||
The WJCC school division pays starting-bus drivers less than the national median pay, and less than other school divisions such as New Kent County and Newport News. Would you support a pay increase for school bus drivers, and how would you convince city and county officials the raise is necessary?
| “ | Absolutely I support increasing the pay of bus drivers. They also deserve more respect! Did you know we pay our bus drivers the same rate as apple pickers in Florida? Yet they are responsible for acquiring and maintaining the training and licensing required for bus operation – to say nothing of the value of what they transport!
Since August 1st, WJCC has lost or transferred out more drivers than we’ve hired. We were already short staffed and it’s getting worse! It is a problem nation-wide so let’s look to districts that have been successful. Convincing County and City officials to agree to the pay raise should take no more than introducing them to the parents of children left at the bus stop without pick-up due to too few drivers followed by the question, 'If you think it is bad now, what do you think next year will look like when James Blair opens?!'[6] |
” |
| —Danon Middleton (2017)[7] | ||
The WJCC school division budget for FY 2017 had "non-negotiable" requests for more teachers and support staff from the City of Williamsburg and James City County. What budget items would you want to ensure are fully funded and not cut back if WJCC schools faces a similar budget situation in FY 2018?
| “ | As nice as ‘non-negotiable’ sounds when requesting funds to hire new teachers and support staff, the Board seems woefully short-sighted. It is not enough to simply hire new people just to fill slots and hope for the best.
First, we have to hire the right people. Second, we have to pay and treat them well enough to keep them! Since 2010, WJCC has lost over 600 teachers and no one can say why they left. Retirement? Better pay elsewhere? More respect? We simply do not know. Surely we can do better. With this in mind, the budget items I would work to ensure are not cut are the benefit contributions to our faculty and staff. They haven’t had a real pay raise in nearly a decade and the relative decrease in salary compounds every year. The very least we can do is make sure we don’t have a repeat of 2017 when the Board instituted a $50 per month surcharge on employees just to keep families on their insurance.[6] |
” |
| —Danon Middleton (2017)[7] | ||
Which school improvement projects do you think need to be priority items for the school division? Why?
| “ | The most recent Capital Improvement Plan approved by the School Board includes projects such as replacement HVAC systems in schools, expanding and repaving parking lots and a new roof. These items are entirely appropriate. I would approve them as well.[6] | ” |
| —Danon Middleton (2017)[7] | ||
Bullying has been a rising issue at school divisions nationwide, do you think WJCC schools are doing enough to prevent bullying in all its forms? What sort of actions would you take as a member of the school board to reduce the amount of bullying in schools?
| “ | We simply are not doing enough to prevent bullying in our schools. Many families have reached out to me over the last several months to share their experiences, some positive but most negative. What I have learned is that on one hand we have a few spectacular administrators such as Mr. Jacobs and Mr. Hurley, Principals at Matoaka and Clara Byrd Baker, and Ms. Newcomb, AP at LHS, who not only take the issue seriously and communicate efficiently with families but also address the problem directly in creative ways to find resolution between the students themselves. They are star administrators.
However, I have also repeatedly heard the all-too-common refrain of ‘The administrator/teacher did not return my call // would not meet with me // did not investigate // failed to stop it.’ The situation is worse for students with disabilities. Parents of students with disabilities are bombarded on all sides while fighting for their kids. How many stories like this must be told before it is addressed accordingly? I wrote at length above about potential solutions. This is a priority for me.[6] |
” |
| —Danon Middleton (2017)[7] | ||
Talk about the achievement gap in WJCC Schools. Are the current strategies to close the gap working? Why or why not? What are your ideas to help progress in this area?
| “ | The current strategies are not working. Hence, the gaps have both persisted and grown wider in some areas. Let us also establish that there is more to achievement gaps than just SOL scores. Widening gaps exist in on-time graduation rates as well..
The problem is not the quality of the teacher or the intelligence of the student. First, if we look at the demographics and achievement of students at certain schools, we can see a host of disparities. However, schools receive the same amount of funding according to enrollment. This is perfectly reasonable if we aim for equality, every school gets the same amount of money per student. However, equity does not mean equal. It means providing the specific tools for students to help them be successful. For instance, while JHS might have a high rate of AP enrollment, perhaps LHS students prefer a larger Arts program at the same time WHS students clamor for enhanced Engineering courses. Even when it comes to standardized test scores, a simple shift could go a long way. If we allocate just $6000 per semester to pay the stipend for a teacher to facilitate an intervention course for identified students who need it, the test-score gap will narrow. The schools already do this for other courses so it wouldn’t be an additional cost, just repurposing the funds for higher needs.[6] |
” |
| —Danon Middleton (2017)[7] | ||
How would you describe the working relationship between the school board and the Board of Supervisors/City Council? What can the school board do to improve or enhance this relationship?
| “ | I cannot speculate about the relationship between the Board and others.
I do believe, however, that a better and more effective working relationship between the School Board and every partnered legislative body would improve efficiency, increase funding and enhance public trust.[6] |
” |
| —Danon Middleton (2017)[7] | ||
How well do you feel the school board members work together? What do you feel you can bring to the school board’s dynamic?
| “ | I cannot speculate about the interrelationship of Board members.
I bring a wide range of education and professional experience to the School Board. I hold an MBA from Liberty University and a Masters in Political Management from the George Washington University. I served 6 years in the military and dedicated the last 8 years to public school teaching. I do not mean anything as a boast, only that it enables me to know what questions to ask about proposals and how to properly analyze the budget data for effective planning. Also, I am able to passionately advocate for what I believe in while striving to find common ground to move forward. These traits make me an ideal fit for the School Board and I hope for the opportunity to prove it.[6] |
” |
| —Danon Middleton (2017)[7] | ||
Are you a member of any political organizations? Which political organizations are you a member of and what have they taught you?
| “ | I am friendly and familiar with groups on both sides of the political spectrum. The fact is, I have reached out to every group I could find and spoke with all who invited me regardless of political affiliation (or none). This shows that I know how to find common ground with people even if we don’t agree on everything. I take pride in knowing I do not change my message regardless of with whom I’m speaking and am open and transparent in my beliefs.[6] | ” |
| —Danon Middleton (2017)[7] | ||
Will you be participating in any forums or public debates? When and where?
| “ | There will be a Candidate Forum at the Williamsburg Library Theater sponsored by the WJCC PTA Council on Wednesday, October 18th from 6:30 to 8:00pm. Everyone is welcome and I encourage everyone to attend. Bring a friend.[6] | ” |
| —Danon Middleton (2017)[7] | ||
What is a question you wish we had asked?
| “ | 'Should people vote for you?'[6] | ” |
| —Danon Middleton (2017)[7] | ||
What is the answer?
| “ | Yes please.[6] | ” |
| —Danon Middleton (2017)[7] | ||
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Danon Middleton Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools school board. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
- Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools, Virginia
- Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools elections (2017)
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Abbey Smith, "Phone communication with James City County Voter Registration & Elections," June 19, 2017
- ↑ Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools, "Members," accessed March 13, 2017
- ↑ Virginia Department of Elections, "Campaign Finance Reports: Search Committees," accessed January 17, 2018
- ↑ Note: The candidate's answers have been reproduced here verbatim without edits or corrections by Ballotpedia.
- ↑ Ballotpedia School Board Candidate Survey, 2017, "Danon Middleton's responses," July 26, 2017
- ↑ 6.00 6.01 6.02 6.03 6.04 6.05 6.06 6.07 6.08 6.09 6.10 6.11 6.12 6.13 6.14 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ 7.00 7.01 7.02 7.03 7.04 7.05 7.06 7.07 7.08 7.09 7.10 7.11 7.12 Williamsburg Yorktown Daily, "WJCC School Board candidate Q&A: Danon Middleton," October 18, 2017
| Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools elections in 2017 | |
| James City County, Virginia | |
| Election date: | November 7, 2017 |
| Candidates: | Jamestown District: • Incumbent, Jim Kelly • Danon Middleton Powhatan District: • Incumbent, Lisa Ownby |
| Important information: | What was at stake? • Additional elections on the ballot • Key deadlines |
