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REPRESENTING

district 5

Karitsa is currently serving in her third term on the Board as the District 5 Representative.

In my first and second terms, I have been a strong advocate for greater community engagement in schools; closing achievement gaps; more equitable and transparent budgeting decisions; fought for fair and balanced educational experiences to improve the urban schools in my district; and I have advocated for policies that attract and retain the most effective teachers for schools that need them most. 

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My platform remains consistent with those issues and now the following focus areas as I continue to work towards a more effective and efficient school system for all. These focus areas are: 

ACTION

COMMITMENT

TRANSPARENCY

I pledge to my continual commitment
to these efforts as I advocate for:

Increased Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in all facets of the Hamilton County School system 


Enhanced Whole Child/Whole Family Supports


Equitable Facilities and Capital Improvements


Safer School Environments


Expansion of exposure and access to college and career opportunities

here are some of my accomplishments:

  • First Term (2014 - 2018) Accomplishments:
    Advocated for Change in Board Policy 1.404 APPEARANCES BEFORE THE BOARD, which now allows community members to be able to sign up 30 minutes prior to the board meeting and request to speak before the board. Advocated for and was successful in leading the movement to keep the 5 priority schools in Hamilton County from State Takeover or ASD placement Advocated for the implementation of the Community schools model in HCDE schools, the pilot at Red Bank and 4 others that followed in the fall 2018. Voted against the Superintendent Buyout proposal in 2016 Able to create and sustain relationships with community members/ leaders, local businesses. faith Based/non profit communities to support our local schools in D5 (CBL, private donors, Sankofa Fund for Civic Engagement, D5 Churches, etc.) Elected to serve as Vice Chair of HCDE Board, 2 consecutive terms 2016-2017, 2017- 2018 Voted for the expansion and renovations to be done at the upcoming Tyner Middle/High School as well as the others schools in HCDE Voted for the new elementary school for D5 Able to get repairs done at Woodmore Elementary and Hillcrest Elementary Able to get lighting renovations and parking lot repaved in the student parking/ stadium lot at Brainerd High School Able to get men's restrooms renovated and repaired at Brainerd High School football stadium
  • Second Term (2018- 2022) Accomplishments:
    New Track at Brainerd High School New Harrison Elementary School after the closing of Lakeside and Hillcrest Advocated and Voted for the upcoming new construction of Tyner Middle/High Academy as well as the others schools in HCDE that are to come Strong advocate /supporter of Community school model implementation in HCS Founded the Educate to Elevate Fund for D5 schools Able to create and sustain relationships with community members/ leaders, local businesses, Faith Based/non profit communities to support our local schools in D5 (CBL, private donors, Sankofa Fund for Civic Engagement, D5 Churches,businesses etc.) Supported and voted for multiple classified and certified HCS pay increases and bonuses Advocated for students and families rights to freedom of choice literature selections Supported the creation of EDConnect and virtual learning hubs for HCS students to aid in the learning environment pivot during COVID 19 Advocated for more diverse HCS talent pool applicants Advocated against partisan political school board antics
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