Prior, Cassie - Milan Area Schools
Are you an incumbent?
Yes
Brief Intro of Candidate
I am a married mother of two children; one who graduated from ECA through Milan in 2023 and a son who graduated from Milan High School this past spring. I have a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Master of Arts in Social Sciences from Eastern Michigan University. I have been employed with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services since 2011 and am currently an analyst with the Division of Continuous Quality Improvement for the Children’s Services Administration. I was appointed to the Milan School Board in December 2023 after a resignation left a partial term vacancy and am committed to continued service to my school district
Endorsements
Washtenaw County Dems
Top financials Contributors
Website and social media links
Myself
https://cassiepriorformilanschoolboard.us and https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557445647958
How would you engage and include parents, caregivers, community members and students in decision-making in your district around things like curriculum, budgeting and district policy?
I would continue to encourage parents, caregivers and community members to participate in their student’s educational experience by partnering with the teacher, attending school events, asking questions and maintaining their expectations that they have the right to know what is happening at their child’s school and within the district. I would also encourage students to advocate for themselves so they can help steer their own student experience.
I believe that through building this type of relationship the next organic step would be for these individuals to become involved at a deeper level where they are attending board meetings and providing their thoughts and guidance on curriculum, the budget and district policy.
Our district has put the focus on improving communication to the entire community. A group dedicated to assessing and improving the way the district provides information to staff, parents, and the community has been diligently working to prepare a communication map that lays out how information is disseminated to each group listed above. The goal of this group is to get the needed information to the right group as efficiently as possible.
What are your thoughts on school discipline and the way it is exercised in your school district? What are your thoughts on restorative practices?
Discipline should be used as a way to encourage appropriate school behavior and discourage continued disruption. This type of discipline may require a closer look at the specifics of a child’s behavior to determine root causes that could give insight on how to repair that behavior. Our district is focused on using restorative practices in appropriate situations to relieve the harm caused by the incidents. Restorative practices work to build trusting relationships between students, staff and administration where each person can feel they have input, and that input is valued. It encourages introspection on the part of the student and requires dedicated time from staff to foster the connections that improve behavior. This type of discipline is valuable to schools in that it offers a way to relieve harm and build relationships that would have been dismissed or severed with old discipline techniques. When the harm is too severe to implement restorative practices our school district assesses several factors in determining appropriate discipline as outlined in board policy and law.
What are your thoughts on how to improve student mental health
Addressing the mental health needs of students should be a priority of a school system and can be worked into the way we teach, interact and support students via curriculum and activities that encourage acknowledgement, resiliency, and self-care. Additionally, partnering with the student’s parent or caregiver, builds a team empowered to find an appropriate intervention that supports the student at home and school. Ongoing training for all school employees to recognize the signs of a student experiencing mental health concerns from initial signs to crisis is vital as too often interventions are not implemented until a child has reached crisis. Early intervention and partnership with student’s family can provide the best outcome for student. Our youth are not able to perform at their full potential when mental health issues are interfering with their ability to focus and concentrate. Schools were able to hire social workers and other mental health professionals with COVID relief dollars, but this has only paid for a portion of what each school system should truly have to meet the needs of its students. With the reduction of mental health grants allocated in the 24-25 state aid budget, school systems will face hard choices when trying to cover these positions for subsequent school years.
What are your thoughts on ways to improve Black student achievement in your district and in Michigan schools overall?
Black student achievement can be improved by continued professional development for all school staff around Black students’ culture and experience. Districts should be assessing their curriculum to ensure that it is representative of all students so they can see themselves in what they learn. Recent updates to available curriculum provide more equitable instruction options and should be sought by districts. Districts can take the big step toward improving Black student achievement by hiring a dedicated staff to support Black students throughout their school career. These staff would also serve as long term supports in maintaining an inclusive district.
What are your thoughts on how to ensure that all students and their families, regardless of race, gender identity, sexuality, disability, religion, income status, etc., feel safe and included in your district?
It is important that we create a school environment where everyone feels seen and accepted. It is vital that these messages come from all members of the school community: educators, staff, and board. Our programs and policies should reflect that our school is an accessible environment that wants all students to achieve. It is not enough to state it once and put it in a policy, but it is something that requires persistent attention and ongoing professional development lest we become complacent. Our schools also need to be intentional about encouraging the creation of safe spaces for students to feel recognized and empowered.
What are your thoughts on how to recruit and retain staff, particularly staff of color, in your district with regard to pay, benefits, and working conditions?
The answers to these questions all lie in districts building intentionally inclusive environments that create a supportive atmosphere where differences are celebrated and recognized. This will organically foster better working conditions which lead to retention. Well defined mentoring programs for new teachers or those who need extra support, as well as using restorative practices to build relationships among staff and heal disagreements contribute to desirable working conditions. Districts strive to offer staff the best pay and benefits available given their competing budget priorities and I recognize that is not enough. It is important that districts seek out grants and advocate for funding to increase school employees pay and benefits.