Fort Smith School Board races begin to shape up, two new candidates in the mix

Talicia Richardson has announced her candidacy for the At-Large position on the Fort Smith School Board held by David Hunton. Hunton will not seek reelection, and a rival candidate has yet to emerge, though the filing period ends July 12 and at least one packet remains out as of July 6, according to the Fort Smith Schools Superintendent’s office.

Richardson was appointed as development officer of the Fort Smith Housing Authority in 2015. Duties include the development of plans and strategies for neighborhood stabilization as well as the preparation of project-funding applications. In an interview with Talk Business & Politics on Wednesday (July 6), Richardson said her decision to run was more about what she can contribute than any shortfalls she has noticed with the current makeup of the Board.

“People don’t often focus on a lot of the good our Board has done over the past several years,” Richardson said. “Too often, they make it about just one issue and let that define the Board. Meanwhile, we have students who are still graduating from high school, teachers who still need support, and the school board still doing what they can do to make sure that support is received. What I can present is what I have to offer or what I can do to accentuate what is currently there.”

The last year has been a tumultuous one for all involved as tensions over Fort Smith Southside’s rebranding from “Rebels” to “Mavericks” stirred up community unrest and resulted in the surprise resignation of long-time Athletic Director Jim Rowland last May.

The issue reignited with a unanimous 7-0 vote by the Fort Smith School Board on July 27, 2015, to change the mascot and end use of the “Dixie” fight song associated with the school since it opened in 1963. Richardson actively supported Board members in their decision to rebrand, but said the experience did not influence her decision to run.

WHAT BETTER WAY TO GET INVOLVED?
“I started attending School Board meetings when my husband Jay and I moved back in the third quarter of 2014,” Richardson said. “At that time, I started attending because, when we came back, we had the objective to get involved as soon as possible, and what better way to start than with the School Board to find out where the needs of the community were and where we could fit into that?”

Based on what she has heard from citizens – if elected – Richardson said her focus would be on student health initiatives, “and that is from a nutritional aspect, mental aspect, and with drug prevention – prescription meds, tobacco, alcohol.”

Richardson continued: “I personally feel that you must assess the whole child in order to educate the whole child. There are parents and teachers who want to do what it takes to ensure that our students are successful, productive citizens. The school board should do everything in its power to help achieve that. Students that reach their full potential and thrive will be successful members of our community.”

Earlier in her career, Richardson served as a vice president of operations for global hospitality chain Accor North America. She has more than 17 years experience in operations, quality control, and counseling in the hospitality and health care industries. A graduate of Fort Smith Northside, Richardson began her postsecondary education at Spelman College in Atlanta, Ga., where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in sociology (pre-law). She then earned a master’s degree in counseling psychology at the University of Arkansas.

“I love Fort Smith. There are so many wonderful things happening within the community and our education system. Everyday, we’re seeing more and more examples of progress and moving this community forward. But I also see so many opportunities to make things better. I have no doubt that I could help make a difference,” Richardson said.

Richardson, in addition to her day job and her role as wife and mother of two, serves on four boards, which include the Fort Smith Community Foundation, Planning Commission, Leadership Fort Smith 2015 Alumni and Arkansas Early Childhood Commission.

ZONE II PREVIEW
Zone II is the second position up for reelection. Incumbent Susan McFerran plans to run for reelection though her packet had not been turned in as of July 6. If McFerran follows through as expected, she could face at least one other candidate in Marc Werschem, who has set up a GoFundMe page with a $500 goal.

According to the page, Werschem’s goals “are to make the board of directors activities public and transparant [sic] without any secret agendas, to support our teachers and staff, to bring innovation to our education system and take it out of the last century.”

“In short,” Werschem adds, “I want to make our school system great once again so it can return to being a shining star of education in Arkansas.”