Voter Guide & Media Coverage

City newspaper has always been the place to go for in-depth coverage of the School Board. Although the intention was to focus on the Democratic Party Primary, the coverage of RCSD issues was extensive:

A “counterpoint” essay to Mary Anna Towler’s editorial, written by our friends at Citizen Action, captured Willa’s position well, especially by calling attention to the State level failure to adequately fund high needs districts. Our decision to advertise in this issue would appear to be a wise one. The hardcopy reader’s eye can’t help but scan the ad on its way to the editorial content.

Following the editorial were five pages of campaign coverage on County races and the School Board primary, the latter requiring a 2-page spread. Embedded in the primary coverage was a 5/4 page setup article featuring a photo of the newly selected Superintendent, preceding the School Board candidate profiles:

The profile for Willa Powell reads:

An incumbent who has been elected to the school board five times, Powell has served on the board for 20 years. Her four children have attended city schools.

Critics “want to blame the old timers,” Powell says. “But the scrutiny that the district has been under makes it really difficult to get truly qualified candidates to run for office.”

“Now is not the time to walk away,” she says. “I offer a steady hand of experience, wisdom, and collaboration at a time when the board lacks experience and team building.”

Like the other candidates in the race, Powell opposes the proposal to have the state dissolve the school board and take over the district’s operations. “When liberal progressive people say democracy is a small price to pay as they disolve an elected body,” she says, “that’s really, really dangerous, particularly at this time.”