Henry L. Marsh Mayoral Forum
Dear RPS Family,
Let me begin by congratulating the new School Board! I look forward to partnering with these nine dedicated Richmonders over the next four years. Hats off to:
1st District: Matthew Percival
2nd District: Katie Ricard
3rd District: Ali Faruk
4th District: Wesley Hedgepeth
5th District: Stephanie Rizzi
6th District: Dr. Shonda Harris-Muhammed
7th District: Cheryl Burke
8th District: E.J. Jafari
9th District: Shavonda Dixon
Please also join me in thanking the following outgoing School Board members for their dedication and service over the last term: Chair Dawn Page, Vice Chair Liz Doerr, Mariah White, Kenya Gibson, and Garrett Sawyer. Serving on the School Board is not easy. It’s a personal and professional sacrifice, especially in today’s pitched political climate. We owe a debt of gratitude to everyone who has stepped up to lead on behalf of our children.
I want to especially thank Chair Page, who has served on the Board for 12 years. Mrs. Page was the chair when I was hired, which means she was on the other end of the phone when I got the job offer call. I’ll never forget that moment. I’m grateful for her guidance, wisdom, partnership, and friendship over the last six years. They have meant the world to me.
I also want to congratulate Dr. Danny Avula on his election as mayor! I had the opportunity to work closely with Dr. Avula during the pandemic, first when he was director of the Richmond and Henrico Health Districts and then when he was Governor Northam’s COVID vaccine czar. In that time, I came to know him as a highly skilled and profoundly empathetic leader, who cares deeply about Richmond. I know he will be an outstanding mayor and look forward to partnering with him on behalf of the city’s young people.
I’m proud to share that RPS students got involved in a variety of ways in this year’s elections. Newly eighteen-year-olds registered and went to vote en masse; some students interned for local campaigns; and the AP Government class at Armstrong High School hosted the first-of-its-kind Henry L. Marsh Mayoral Forum, featuring all five mayoral candidates making their pitch directly to East End students.
The idea for the forum had its genesis at the end of the last school year. “This senior class is really tight and engaged,” says AP Government teacher Mr. Jonathan Metcalf, whose class took the lead on organizing the debate. “I knew the students could host a forum, and I knew they could do a great job. When you give students leadership and opportunities to shine, they always succeed.” Most importantly, the team wanted to make sure that students understood the power of their voices, particularly within their local community.
Once all five campaigns signed off in late summer, the History/Social Studies department came together to support the students’ efforts. Mr. William Scottserved as the official timekeeper, Ms. Topaz Wise supported production efforts, Ms. Courtney Fanning did the fliers and branding, Ms. Angela Dewssupported planning for guests and dignitaries, and Mr. Graham Sturmprovided guidance and oversight. Mr. Metcalf’s class took the lead in planning the conversation.
The class broke the forum down into sections and high-level topics to cover. Through class conversations, they made a long list more concrete before working on specific questions for three classes. “People would be surprised about the amount of research students did,” Mr. Metcalf says proudly. “They spent an hour developing a question on homelessness,” for instance, only to scrap it. The students simply had too much to cover, and prioritized questions on gun violence and school funding.
While moderators Zion Lundy, Renecia Allen, and emcee Ty’Asia Tolson-Wilkerson were on stage during the debate, their classmates also felt empowered by getting to hear directly from the candidates: “The most important role of a mayor is to be active in listening to the community’s voices,” Roman Pi said afterwards, noting that was exactly what had happened that day.
Many students expressed similar sentiments of confidence. That was exactly their teacher’s goal. “They understand the candidates, and power, a little better now,” says Mr. Metcalf. “They know they’re not far away.” Amen!
Let me close this morning with three thoughts about the national election. First, I must reiterate that we are nonpartisan and serve all children, of all backgrounds – and that includes all political backgrounds. That’s a bedrock principle of public education and we will fiercely defend it.
Finally, given that roughly 82 percent of Richmonders voted for Vice President Harris, I want to acknowledge that disappointment and pain are coursing through many of our halls this week. The historic symbolism of the Vice President’s candidacy was particularly resonant in our system, which is led and staffed in large part by extraordinary Black women.
Third, wherever you are on the political spectrum, I think we can agree that the work we do is essential to the health of our democracy. Teaching our young people to read critically, evaluate data rigorously, speak passionately, collaborate empathetically, and advocate fiercely are perhaps more important today than ever before.
So let’s get to it.
With great appreciation,
Jason, Superintendent