Zara Broadenax and Carlos Mathews (incumbent) are competing to represent District 5 on Huntsville’s School Board.

On August 10, Broadenax and Mathews participated in a debate-style forum at St. Luke Christian Church on Sparkman Drive. The public forum was the last meeting in the “Meet Your Candidates Series,” which was hosted by five local nonpartisan nonprofits.

The National Coalition of 100 Black Women – Greater Huntsville Area Chapter, 100 Black Men of Greater Huntsville, the League of Women Voters of Tennessee Valley, the Huntsville Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, and the NAACP of Huntsville/Madison County joined forces to host the candidate series. Representatives from each of the five groups were present at the forum.

None of the five groups endorse specific candidates; they organize these forums so that voters will have the necessary information to make informed decisions.

Kristin Baker and Julian Boykin moderated the debate, just as they did for District 5’s City Council debate.

Both candidates were given 90 seconds to introduce themselves.

Broadenax introduced herself as a retired military officer, a long-term substitute teacher in Districts 1 and 5, a PTA board member, and a mother of two children who currently attend Huntsville City Schools.

“All those things dictate what my platform is,” said Broadenax. “I want to listen to parents because I understand their frustrations because I have them too. I understand what the teachers are saying because I taught in the classroom.”

Mathews introduced himself as a native Huntsvillian who graduated from the Huntsville City Schools system and Alabama A&M. Mathews pointed to his experience on the Board of Education as evidence of his fitness for reelection.

Mathews stated that he helped lead the public school system through financial hardships, the Covid pandemic, and the 2020 cyberattack on the District.

The moderators posed questions regarding teacher support and retention, budget priorities, community collaboration, and the promotion of STEM in District 5.

Throughout the forum, Broadenax emphasized the need to minimize the unnecessary use of technology in the classroom.

“I want to go back to the foundation of education: books, paper, pens. I want students to be able to use their minds and not an AI system,” said Broadenax.

Broadenax believes that students will learn more effectively without the distractions that accompany the school laptops. She also believes that school bullying rates will decrease if screen time is limited.

“Statistics have shown that use of technology — on a constant basis — has lowered our self-esteem and the self-confidence of our children,” Broadenax said.

Mathews highlighted the need for increased opportunities for project-based learning and greater parent involvement in the schools. Mathews said that, too often, parents do not attend town halls and PTA meetings.

“It’s not about trying to get them to come to you, you go to them. Most people have a cell phone. With the presence I have on the internet right now, any individual that needs to contact me — that has an issue with the school district — can get an answer from me within two seconds,” said Mathews.

Mathews pointed out that SB 157, known as the “Teachers’ Bill of Rights,” will change how teachers are able to discipline students in the classroom. The bill authorizes public school teachers to remove students from the classroom for disorderly conduct. Mathews views this bill as a return to former policies.

The Teachers’ Bill of Rights goes into effect immediately.

Both Broadenax and Mathews view their service to District 5 as part of their personal legacy.

“I want to help parents get through red tape and be heard. I want to be a voice for the parents in District 5,” said Broadenax. “It may not impact my children, and I’m okay with that. In five years I won’t have kids in this district, but somebody will. And I don’t want them to have to face the same things that I faced.”

Mathews recalled his efforts to improve student safety and wellness at Highlands Elementary and Columbia High School.

“I’m trying to plant seeds for trees that I’ll never sit underneath,” Mathews said. “Through my service now, the things that I do will go on long after I’ve finished.”

August 12 is the deadline to register to vote in the August 27 election.

Visit https://myinfo.alabamavotes.gov/voterview to check your voting status.