Board of Educ. — Vote 11/4

The following, which is based on brief interviews with each candidate, appears in November’s East of the River and will be on-line Monday or Tuesday. There are also direct candidate statements in the Voters Guide published by the District Board of Elections and Ethics (click on the third link, for “presidential general election”)

On Nov. 4, each ward will choose a separate representative to the State Board of Education. William Lockridge, who currently represents the district encompassing Wards 7 and 8, is one of three candidates running for Ward 8 Representative. Three candidates are vying for Ward 7 Representative. In addition, Ted Trabue is running for At-large Representative.

Ralph J. Chittams, Sr., believes inequities in the District’s schools continue to create two systems, one west of the river and one east; he would aim, on the State Board, to see new standards and policies applied equally across the city and for parental involvement beyond the local school. Howard University brought Chittams, who was raised in New York City, to DC in 1978. At Howard, he met and married a sixth generation Washingtonian. They raised two DCPS graduates and have two children in a public charter school. He has lived in, advocated for, and worshiped in Ward 7 for nearly 16 years. Chittams says he joined the race, because “other candidates were not the fighters Ward 7 children need on the State Board of Education.”

Dorothy Douglas believes Ward 7 needs a State Board Representative who will address the need for quality education for all children and that her twenty years of community activism demonstrate her assertiveness and resolve to serve the Ward and its children. A graduate of the University of the District of Columbia, Douglas taught in DCPS for 15 years and has worked with Discover Anacostia Education Program and the Summer Youth Employment Program. Her community involvement includes Marshall Heights Community Development Organization, Deanwood Citizens Association, Deanwood Youth Services, Sixth District Conflict Resolution Team and service as chair of ANC 7C and 7D. Douglas advocates for public libraries as crucial to the community’s educational resources.

Cameron C. Poles says he’s always seen himself “as a community servant” and believes the State Board is where he can make a difference now. A native Washingtonian who has lived in Ward 7 for three years, Poles was raised by educators, with his mother teaching at Woodson SHS for three decades. He graduated from Wilson SHS, taught fifth grade at Anna Beers and has worked in supplementary educational services as well as drop-out prevention in the city. In addition, his volunteer work includes establishing a book club for adjudicated youth at Ballou SHS. Councilmember Alexander endorsed Poles, saying she feels “confident in his leadership and education…he already has established relationships with parents, teachers and students.”

For more information, visit:
Chittams 4 State Board,
Dorothy Douglas 4 Ward 7
Cameron Poles 2008