By T. Scott Boatright
The Lincoln Parish School Board District 1 election to be held on Nov. 8 will feature Willie “Jim” Washington running against Danielle Williams for the vacant seat left open after Board member Susan Wiley decided not to run for reelection.
Washington has put 48 years into public education, with 38 years worth serving in the Lincoln Parish School system —10 years as principal at I.A. Lewis and 28 years working for the Central Office.
Washington said it was a calling from a higher power that led to his decision to run for the District 1 School Board seat.
“God put this on me,” Washington said. “For two or three nights I couldn’t sleep. I would wake up in the middle of the night thinking about the School Board and running for this particular seat. I just literally couldn’t shake it. I spoke with (current LPSB President) Joe Mitchem, (former Lincoln Parish Schools superintendents) Danny Bell, Mike Milstead and Gerald Cobb (who passed away on July 18) to get their thoughts. I told them I had been having this dream about being on the School Board and that I couldn’t shake it.
“And they all said almost the same exact thing, almost verbatim — ‘Willie, you have the experience, all the knowledge about the Lincoln Parish School System, and the ability to work with people.’ So they kind of validated my desire to run.”
The 76-year-old Washington said running for the seat has given him an almost renewed sense of purpose and energy.
“After looking at some things I’m just really excited about running,” Washington said. “The Lord has told me this is what he wants me to do. I’m more energized about running for this and I feel that I still have something to bring to the table, even at my age.
“I bring the experience. I bring being able to work with groups. I bring a vision of the Lincoln Parish School System and providing a quality education for our youth. That’s what keeps me motivated. I’ve tried to talk myself out of it, but every time I do that I run across a parent, or I run across a student, who tell me to run.”
Washington spent the majority of his time — 28 years worth — in the Lincoln Parish School System serving as Director of Federal Programs.
“I feel real good about those years because when I walked out of there, I walked out squeaky clean,” Washington said. “When the Early Childhood Education Center was built, I located the property and did all the legwork. We couldn’t use federal dollars to build it. They used local dollars to purchase the land, local and state dollars to build the building.
“But I got the federal funding to open the building that paid for 12 teachers and 12 paraprofessionals. I found funding for every piece of equipment in that facility. I think it all worked out to be about $1.5 million to help realize one of the big visions the Lincoln Parish School System had at the time — a centralized preschool center.”
Washington said it’s his experience that helps him know what his role wlll be if elected as District 1 School Board member.
“I know how to work one-on-one with the superintendent to make things happen,” WAshingotn said. “You do that behind closed doors. You don’t try to grandstand.
“A School Board member’s role is being accountable to the constituents of that district. They’re accountable to the students. They’re the ears and eyes to be an advocate for the students they represent and for the students of Lincoln Parish as a whole.”
Williams, the daughter of Greg “Big Coach” Williams and Eva Williams, attended A. E. Phillips, I.A. Lewis, Ruston Jr. High, and Grambling High Schools before receiving her bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems from Grambling State University in three years, a master’s degree in Education Administration from the University of Louisiana in Monroe, and a Doctorate in Higher Education Administration.
She has served as a Central Office Administrator in both 5A and 6A school districts in Texas and currently serves as the Program Coordinator of the Master of Arts in Teaching and Assistant Professor of Curriculum and Instruction in the College of Education at GSU.
Williams also serves as program coordinator in the Office of Retention at GSU and is employed as an adjunct professor at LeTourneau University in Texas.
“This past school year, I served on the Lincoln Parish School Board Diversity Committee and the Ruston High School National Honor Society Committee,” Williams said “ I worked with both Lincoln Parish School Board Members, Mrs. Susan Wiley and Mr. David Ferguson, in addressing several diversity concerns in the Lincoln Parish School System. I have a lot of respect for both of them.
“Mrs. Susan Wiley expressed to me that she would not be seeking re-election and after much thought, prayer, and consideration, I decided to run for the seat. I am honored to run for this position because Lincoln Parish Schools prepared me well to compete in this world, and I now want to give back and help ensure that all students (regardless of their educational capabilities) receive a quality education.
Williams is also a parent with a child attending school in Lincoln Parish.
“I have a vested interest in the school system; my daughter currently attends Ruston High School,” Williams said. “As an educator who trains teacher and principal candidates, I understand the demands in education. The Every Student Succeeds Act, commonly known as ESSA, requires all states to hold their schools accountable for the achievement of all groups of students. I plan to utilize my experience to work with Lincoln Parish School Board in strengthening the partnership between the community and school system.
“Also, I plan to be a voice for every student. My goal is to ensure that every student regardless of their educational capabilities receives a quality education.”
Williams said that as a seasoned educator, she understands that the key to help eliminate poverty is a quality education and that she has the energy, passion, experience and dedication toward closing achievement gaps for all learners.
“Every child benefits from a high-quality educational experience, and so does our school district,” Williams said. “I would like to use my 16 years of experience in education to focus on achievement gaps for students from all ethnicities and those with disabilities, specifically.
“I would like to work with the board to utilize my experience, knowledge, and love for this community to ensure that all students succeed. I would like to help strengthen the partnership between our school system and the community.”
