Kerri Davenport for Cedar Rapids School Board: Work collaboratively for better education

I choose to run for the at-large seat on the CRCSD school board for several reasons. First, the six children my husband and I raised attended schools in this district and all graduated from Washington High School. I desire to pay goodness forward and help other families have a good experience learning and growing in a healthy academic environment. Second, I have perceived that our school district needs strong leadership and a more receptive body of leaders listening to and engaging with parents, staff and administrators to create policy. Third, I believe my experience as a student, parent, teacher and leader can help guide the school board to collaborate with parents, teachers and administrators to work collaboratively for better education for all students from preschool to graduation from high school.

I believe I am a highly qualified candidate for our school board. I have a degree in elementary education. I recently earned a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy and am working part-time as a therapist. Along with a love for helping others, skills I have developed as a therapist are exceptional listening skills, respectful regard of all others, empathy and authenticity. In addition to these skills, I have served for many years in various teaching and leading positions in multiple church communities.

Our school board needs better leadership and the ability to expand listening and collaborating opportunities with families served. This may mean revisiting school board rules for interacting with the public and providing more opportunity to hear and listen to invested parties at board meetings. The recent controversial and unilateral decisions of district administrators without public or school board input were poor and unlawful. Lastly, parents need to be regarded as the most important entity in the education and general welfare of students in our district.

Kerri Davenport is a candidate for Cedar Rapids School Board.