By D’Andrea Willis, NDG Contributor
According to Joyce Foreman, 2014 candidate for Dallas ISD (DISD) District 6 trustee, a trustee has a simple definition: a representative of the people.
If you conduct a Google search of Foreman, you will find videos and articles highlighting her deep passion and often outspoken candor, specifically her infamous speech addressing DISD Superintendent Mike Myles. Foreman has been a long-term (30 years to be exact) community activist for matters pertaining to civil rights and, specifically, the DISD education system. Therefore, when she decided to take a stab at becoming a trustee for District 6, she was simply shifting from speaking about her beliefs to actually implementing them.
Foreman has pinpointed certain initiatives she intends to implement if elected as trustee for District 6; she believes in starting from the bottom in terms of the educational system.
“I want as many pre-kindergarten students in DISD as we can afford; the younger we get the children, the better their chances are at being able to read by third grade,” Foreman said.
She feels that there should be in-school suspension as opposed to sending middle school students to alternative schools because, in her opinion, alternative schools inhibit their learning. Additionally, Foreman wants an extensive study on the facilities in District 6.
She fears the lack of technology in the facilities is affecting the performance of the students.
“Environment is everything; if you’re in a crummy dingy room, then you’re probably going to feel crummy and dingy,” Foreman said.
“There’s a lot to be done, but I’m ready.”
Foreman also has concerns regarding the current goals of the education system.
”During this shift, we have focused on making our children college ready, and abandoned the effort of making them career ready,” the candidate said. “There has to be a voice to remind us that all of our kids will not go to college. This doesn’t mean they are not smart.”
After years of clearly caring about the district, what gave Foreman the sudden motivation to run for trustee? According to Foreman, she was simply waiting her turn. Foreman worked alongside retiring trustee Carla Ranger regarding various issues. So, when Ranger decided to not seek re-election, Foreman saw it as an opportunity. She contends this was her chance to transition from an activist role to having a seat at the table.
“I have always told trustee Ranger that I would never run against her.”
Foreman recognizes the responsibility of becoming a trustee, and the changes she will need to make.
“I completely understand that when I become a trustee, I will have a voice at the table that makes decisions. The way I do things today will be different once I become a trustee,” Foreman added.
Foreman’s ambition is a result of influencing factors that have molded her throughout her life. She owned a business for 30 years in Dallas. Looking back over those years she shared, “I got to be the chief cook and the bottle washer.”
Despite a busy career managing her business, Foreman still found time to serve on more than 40 boards and commissions, taking a particular interest in educational affairs.
“I understood the importance of education and what it can do for young people, particularly young, African American people. I want to make sure they don’t get lost amidst the constant changes within DISD.”
Foreman is a product of the Dallas education system, having spent elementary through college years in Dallas public schools and colleges. To this day, she addresses one of her former teachers, former city council member, Dr. Maxine Thornton-Reese, with due respect.
“Dr. Reese still thinks she can tell me what to do, and I still say yes ma’am to her, Foreman said laughingly. “They (former teachers) left such a positive image in my life; there’s no telling what I would’ve done without them. That’s what I want for the kids –teachers who not only teach the curriculum but also give you great life skills,” Foreman said. “If I hadn’t gotten an education, I probably wouldn’t have been an entrepreneur, and I wouldn’t have been on executive committee of The Greater Dallas Chamber as the only minority alongside 12 white, male CEOs.”
According to Foreman, the factor that sets her apart from her competitors is her time investment in the district.
“None of them have been there; they don’t know the issues like I do, they have not been active in the district like I have. There is one who has been an attorney for another district but that doesn’t mean you have the knowledge of what’s going on in DISD. You have another who hasn’t even voted in DISD school board election. You have another who hasn’t shown up for any debates, forums, and events,” according to Foreman.
“It’s just that when you think about the individuals who are in the race, I think that my experience, my understanding of the issues, my relationship with the current board, and the community activism puts me far ahead of the competition,” Foreman said.. “Once you have an open seat, people will run. They clearly could have good motivations; I won’t paint them as ill-willed, but this is a critical time for DISD. We can’t afford to have someone in that seat that that will have a learning curve.”
Although Foreman has been particularly vocal regarding decisions made by Dallas’ superintendent, she anticipates to see if Myles’ current movements will prove effective.
“It’s a double edged sword. What pushed me over the edge, was his determination to fire all those principals, however, it was only because of community outrage that it stopped. I will be able to work with Myles when he is doing what I believe is best for the kids. I’m a person who believes in bringing in best practices as opposed to what we hope will work; this district has had enough of that.”
Above all, Foreman said she has a passion for helping the children of DISD.
“When talking about becoming an elected official, we have to remember that we are representing a group of people that have elected us to make sure their children get the best education. I’m an advocate for the children; adults always have to speak out for the children who cannot speak for themselves. Somebody fought for us; we can’t get tired.”
Foreman is truly a soldier fighting on behalf of the people. Now if only “the people” will help her push some meaningful initiatives, her work (coming in the near future) will not have been in vain…