Two candidates are vying for a seat on the Quitman School Board of Trustees for Place 1. Brenda McCormick and Lynnita Bartee will be on the ballot on Tuesday’s General Election for residents who reside within that school district place.
The Tribune reached out with the same questions posed to each candidate in an effort for residents in their district to get to know each candidate and help make an informed decision on the most qualified candidate to fill the trustee seat.
Below is a short bio on each candidate as well as a Q & A on their plans and goals if elected to the school board.
Brenda McCormick
My husband, Ike & I have 4 children, all QHS graduates.
I worked in healthcare for many years in several capacities. I am a certified BLS/CPR instructor.
I taught in the QSD 5 ½ years. I volunteered with the tutoring program at QJH.
I am active in my church, El Bethel M.B. Church, where I serve as church secretary & clerk, and director of the hospitality ministry.
I volunteer with the American Red Cross & Relay for Life.
Remember, Every Child, Every Teacher, And Every School!
It would be my honor to serve as your school board trustee for Place-1.
Lynnita Bartee
I am married to the Honorable Judge Tobey Bartee; together, we have 5 children, 1 deceased. Regarding the children, 3 graduated from Quitman High School; 1 from Harrison Central; and 1 currently attending Quitman Lower Elementary. I am the daughter of the late Ruby Lawson and Mr. and Mrs. Charlie (Lillie) Lawson, Sr. of Mobile, AL. I am the daughter-in-law of Mr. and Mrs. Emmit (Betty) Bartee, Jr. of Quitman. I am the Water Clerk for the City of Quitman. I am currently pursuing a Doctoral Degree in Human Resource Management. I am the current President of the Clarke County Chamber of Commerce. I am a member of the Clarke County Rotary Club and the Clarke County Lion’s Club. I serve as a member of the Clarke County Board of Economic Development. I am a member of the Pearlie Grove Church and I serve as the Coordinator of the Women’s Ministry.
Prior to (permanently) moving to Quitman, I proudly served 21 years and 6 months in the United States Air Force, retiring with the Meritorious Service Medal. My tenure in the military afforded me the opportunity to serve as a Photographer for 11 years; Military Training Leader for 5 years; Non-Commissioned Officer Instructor for 4 years; Chief of Information Protection for 1 and ½ years, until retirement in 2012.
In all of my adventures, “Serving” has been at the forefront! I am a firm believer of Luke 12:48 paraphrased, “…to whom much is given, much is required!” I have been blessed to be part of a loving community, and I want to continue moving our community in the right direction, full of progress and potential; driven by Trust, Integrity, and Togetherness!
1. What is our campaign platform?
Brenda McCormick
• Every Child, Every Teacher, Every School!
• My position is that every child is given the opportunity to reach “their potential”. To achieve this, a quality education must be the gold standard. There must be fairness & equality consistently in the school district for students, teachers & staff. There must absolutely be parental involvement to help ensure the success of their children.
• It is very important that every teacher and all staff be trained, qualified & compensated fairly; yet held accountable to do what they are there to do.
• Every school must be held to a high standard of educational excellence. The expectation of academic excellence must be district-wide, all schools.
Lynnita Bartee
My platform is based on Trust, Integrity, and Togetherness: Trust—the community, parents, faculty, and staff must be able to trust that I have each one’s best interest at heart. I will be entrusted with vital, and often, personal information. It will be my responsibility to ensure that those who have put me in office and all others know that they can trust and believe that I will keep them informed, as I am informed, except for confidential information. They must trust that my main concern is that of the educational growth of the students and the professional development of faculty. This is one of the key factors to the success of our school district.
Integrity—Integrity is doing what is right while others are not watching! Being honest with moral principles! My platform is based on me doing what is right for the community and school as a whole, while maintaining fairness and unity. I will be an ambassador of the school board! No matter where I am, or what capacity I am serving, I must represent the true integrity of a school board member! Honesty, good character, and togetherness! I must be trusted to listen, and not just hear! Think before speaking, and ensure that the answer given is that of the whole board, and not an opinion of my own. I must trust that the other board members will ensure that we are all trusted and available to the public.
Togetherness—all decisions and considerations of the board must work together for the growth, benefit, and well-being of the Quitman School District! No sign of favoritism, but of consideration of every matter being presented to the board; based on the unity of discussion with all board members. It must be understood that the board must be together on all matters concerning the school. Together, even with different opinions, we must focus on what is best for the school district and the community!
Together, we can accomplish so much more and continue with the success of the school district.
2. What are some positive aspects about Quitman School District?
Brenda McCormick
• My children & I graduated from QHS. The QSD gave us a good start to pursue our various occupations & careers.
• I believe the QSD overall a good school district, as with most districts, there is room for improvement. There are some good, caring & dedicated employees in the QSD.
• I am very proud to see many students come through the QSD, who have various jobs & careers, making honest livings. We have teachers, offshore workers, nurses, dentist, eye doctors, dieticians, physical therapists, college & professional athletes & the list goes on & on.
Lynnita Bartee
The students and staff have school pride! We must capitalize on this! The faculty and staff members that I have spoken with and the things that I have seen reveal the desire for Quitman Schools to excel. If you walk the halls of the schools, you will see how much time the staff has put into personalizing the classrooms with various art works. We have to be an ear to those who are teaching our children (at school and in the home). We must take the positive and ensure that it becomes contagious! School pride is important! When children and staff/faculty members are proud of where they learn/work, they excel in whatever task they are given.
3. What are some things you would like to see improve in Quitman School District?
Brenda McCormick
• I would like the board to be more responsive to the needs & concerns of parents, students, staff & the community.
• I would like to see better support for QSD staff & employees.
• I would like to see a fair & equitable distribution of educational funds.
• The recent district rating of a “D” must be increased. The previous rating system used for this rating is not a true indicator of the QSD. We are better than that & we will improve that rating.
Lynnita Bartee
I would like to see more community participation in the schools. I would like to see a quarterly venue, outside of the regular school board meetings, that will pass on vital information within the community pertaining to the school and vice versa. We need more leaders within the community (churches, local clubs, and organizations) who should have an obvious presence at school events, games, and other functions! We all talk about what the school needs, but my question is “what have you provided for the school?” We have respected individuals in the community who would be awesome mentors to some school-age children, and to some parents. If we all team up and make the community the center of focus that helps to keep the things taught in school permanent in homes, we would be unstoppable. Churches and organizations need to volunteer services to provide “free” counseling or free open-discussions with parents and students to ensure that no child feels that he/she cannot learn. What the teacher may not be able to do in class may be done by someone in the community. Teachers teach; but, it is up to the parents and the community to reinforce the things that are taught. Even if you do not have a child in the school—you live in the community! And, because we live in this community, we should all be concerned with the success of our schools.
4. How do you hope to propose to implement improvements and changes?
Brenda McCormick
• The superintendent & the board must have a good working relationship.
• The board should be responsive & receptive to concerns of parents, students, staff & the community. When concerns or issues are brought to a board member, as an elected member, it is the duty of that member to communicate this to the superintendent. There must then be communication back to whomever a concern had. Communication is key.
• Much of education takes place in the classroom; therefore the school board must focus on enhancing what goes on there. How does the board do this? It must attract & keep the best & the brightest staff. I would like to see more diversity of staff. Not just for the sake of being diverse, again the best & the brightest.
• There should be support for those on the frontlines of educating our children. There must be accountability at every level in the QSD.
• I would like to see a fair & equitable distribution of educational funds. There have been deep cuts to education funding, so it will take very strategic planning & prioritizing. It is a continuous process & we must adjust as needed.
• I believe the items noted above should help to improve the academics of the district, improve test scores & increase the district rating.
Lynnita Bartee
I am but one vote; however, I plan to communicate with the other board members and gain the trust of my comrades to ensure that we are all being proactive and not reactive. I have been studying the district, state, and federal laws on education—I want to know that any statements I make are based on facts, research, and policy!
I plan to listen to the people: students, staff/faculty, parents, and community leaders! I want to know what they think and see how I can implement (after research) whatever suggestion or idea they may have.
I plan to implement improvements and changes after I see (or it is brought to my attention) that improvements and changes are necessary! I am not one for change “just because”! I think our change should be with purpose! I think that change should be based on growth, not just for the benefit of change. I will stick to one of my sayings; a “Bartee-ism”: “Listen, filter, and consider the source!” Dispel rumors and miscommunications that may be harmful to growth!
5. Why should the voters elect you as school board trustee?
Brenda McCormick
• My experiences as a student, a parent & a teacher give me the opportunity to bring a unique perspective to the school board.
• It is imperative that each student is given the opportunity to reach “their” maximum potential. This requires commitment from students, parents, staff, teachers, administrators, the superintendent, school board members & the community. I am committed & ready to serve.
• The students that come through the school system are a part of the community & some go into the workforce in Clarke County; therefore, it is in our best interest to invest in their success.
• If I am elected as your school board trustee I will voice my concerns, views & opinions to the board. I will defend what I believe is right & fair. I must also listen to the other board members.
• Progress & growth takes time, often months & even years. We must continuously work to make things better.
I am ready & willing to serve as your school board trustee for Place-1.
I’m not just running for school board trustee; I’m running for the children!
I believe I am the most qualified candidate to serve on the school board.
I humbly ask for your vote on Tuesday, November 8, 2016.
Thank you very much for your consideration & may God bless you all.
Lynnita Bartee
I am a PARENT; therefore, it is APPARENT that voters should have a PARENT on the school board who is TRANSPARENT about the growth and development of our schools, staff, faculty, and community!
I believe that it is important to be made “easily” assessable by any individual who feels that he/she needs to reach me or any other board member! There are no dumb suggestions and no bad ideas! I have a 2nd grader, currently enrolled in Quitman Lower Elementary! She is my vested interest! She, along with all the other students, staff/faculty, parents, and community members need someone who is well-versed in speaking to individuals and able to get a point across. I moved to Quitman several years ago, and ever since I arrived I have been part of organizations that have sought to benefit the growth of the community! I am not just one to talk about it; I “AM” about it! Voters should elect me to this seat on the school board because I will be an advocate for EVERYONE!
