Tania Nyman

What would be your top three priorities, if elected?

1. Protect the local democratic control of our public schools: In order to fulfill our responsibility to provide all children regardless of race, socioeconomic background, or ability with a quality education, we must be able to elect meaningful representation to a local board that oversees a unified public school system. Our ability to do so has been significantly eroded if not essentially eliminated by laws and policies enacted at the state level. We must protect our public schools from the harmful effects of these laws while we simultaneously advocate for the repeal or amendment of the laws in question. 2. Advocate for Local Control of Taxpayer Dollars: The Louisiana state charter school law has effectively eliminated local taxpayers' oversight of tax dollars. In order to fully address this erosion of local control, there must be changes at the state level. At the local level, we must oppose attempts to further divert our tax dollars to private companies and advocate for changes to our Planning and Zoning policies. 3. Protect Teaching as a Profession: We must protect the teaching profession! The privatization movement devalues teaching as a profession. High-stakes standardized tests, mandated curriculums, burdensome reporting requirements, unfunded mandates redirecting funds from essential resources, and low pay are undermining the profession and our students suffer as a result.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I believe that we as a community have the responsibility to provide all children regardless of race, socioeconomic background, or ability with a quality education. It is vital we remember that in order to fulfill our responsibility we must have the democratic control of our schools. We must be able to elect meaningful representation to a local board that oversees a unified public school system. But our ability to do so has been significantly eroded if not essentially eliminated by laws and policies enacted at the state level which privilege corporate charter schools and privatization. We must take action to protect our public schools and our democracy.