Wants parents to be engaged in education
Rachel Wagner of Flomaton has qualified to seek the Republican nomination for the District 4 seat on the Escambia County School Board.
Married to Tippy Wagner, the couple has eight children together, five of which went to Flomaton schools and two more will begin in August.
“I am a life-long resident of Flomaton and 1993 graduate of FHS,” Wagner said. “I am an RN of 26 years and co-owner of RaBo’s Sweets in Flomaton.”
“I am running in this election because I believe every parent should be engaged in their child’s life by knowing what is going on inside the school building every day,” Wagner said. “Teachers cannot teach your children properly without your support just as parents do not know how to help and encourage their child without the support of their teachers. I want to be part of rebuilding that bridge.”
“We have the best principals, teachers, students and parents in the county, and we all play a part in our children’s tomorrow,” she added. “I know most of the teachers in our system and the ones I've spoken with do not feel valued. They have concerns that are not addressed. They have phone calls and emails that are ignored. Many do not speak up for fear of retribution and this is uncalled for. All staff should feel valued because they go above and beyond for our children. We have got to raise the morale of our school system.”
Wagner said things she would like to focus on include:
- Every child having access to the textbooks they need to be successful.
- Overcrowded classrooms. Every child deserves a desk with adequate personal space.
- Supporting a superintendent that our school board had the faith to hire. She cannot do what she promised if she is met with opposition at every turn.
- Certified teachers being recruited to teach our children. Teaching is a profession not a trade with on-the-job training.
- Being good shepherds of the resources and money our system has to support administrators, educators and students. Our school system has the biggest budget in the county so why are our teachers asking parents for office and classroom supplies?
- Every single person being held accountable for what they are or are not doing for our children. Our children should not be scoring on a level that the poorest, most deprived children are scoring on. As a foster parent, I have personally experienced how difficult it can be to get children, who have experienced traumatic setbacks, the help they need to be on a level playing field with other children their age.
- I want to work on community support for our schools and children. Our children begin their teaching at home, whether we like to admit it or not. It starts with the parents. Teachers become limited or unsuccessful when a parent does not instill and nurture a teacher's role in their child’s life.
“I am not a politician,” she said. “I am, however, an advocate. I have been the voice for children and parents for the past seven years in conference rooms and court rooms as a foster parent. I give you my word that I will ask the hard questions. I will work hard and do my homework on every decision. I will fight for Escambia County School System to raise its standard so our children can be as proud of our schools as we who have attended them are today.”
She also said she wants to hear from parents so she can address their concerns.
“To the school staff, I do not want you living for summers, holidays, and weather days,” she said. “I want you to be supported and in love with your jobs so that you are excited to come to work. Let’s make the schools of District 4 and across the county a safe and productive environment for our children, supportive and loving for our educators, while being informative, honest, and transparent to our parents.”
