Candidate for
Governing Board Member; Compton Unified School District

My name is Barbara Jean Calhoun, a Mother of three, Grandmother of five, and great grandmother of one. My family moved to Compton in June of 1968, where all of my children and grandchildren attended Compton schools. l My grandchild was diagnosed with ADHD -a disorder that makes it difficult for her to focus and learn. She is now failing academically. Not because she is a bad student, but because the schools do not provide the resources or help she needs. Now she will be retained a grade. But why? We have asked, begged, and cried out for help from this District and the only thing they have given our family is more grief. My daughter has removed her daughter from the district, I was very disappointed. This case is not unique to me. Countless more families have suffered these same educational injustices. I'm running because Compton families deserve better. We have students that homeless, nowhere to turn, we need a homeless advocate at our school sites. Our students deal with death, suicide, drive by, fights, drugs, problems at home, we need a crisis advocate at our schools, to help assist our students/parents. We have good schools, we have caring teachers, employees, but they will never perform better unless we make changes. This race is about bringing effective change. It begins by helping our teachers with the tools they need. Our employees must also work in a less stressful environment that builds a better educational culture. When our staff has everything they need, our children will succeed. As a former school board member, I took on the issues that kept our schools in terrible shape. In 2001, we returned from state receivership and took local control -we rolled up our sleeves and got down and dirty. We worked as a community. From our Board, to the teachers, the administrators, the employees, parents, students and the unions, all sectors were included and appreciated. We transformed Compton schools, meeting and surpassing what guidelines were set before us. We even build the first new school in 35 years: William Jefferson Clinton Elementary School. We succeeded because we all worked for a better education. I ask for your support and confidence in this very important race. We made Compton Schools a great place for our teachers, students, parents, employees and the community before, now let's do it Again! ~~ Barbara Calhoun