VIDALIA — Two candidates are in the running for the school board member position in District 5-A.

The two candidates are Dorothea M. Davis and Martha J. Rabb.

Dorothea M. Davis

Davis said she was motivated to join the election for school board member because of her experience as an educator.

“I was an eighth grade math teacher, so I know what it is like to run a modern-day classroom,” she said. “It gives me a teacher’s perspective.”

Davis said she has a lot more to offer than her experience as an educator.

“I feel like I have a lot to offer with a diversified experience in human resources and business,” she said.

Giving back to the school system in which she grew up is something Davis said she hopes to accomplish if elected.

“I went to Ferriday,” she said. “I want to give back to the community that I have lived in for the majority of my life.”

Davis said she likes the way the school board has been working on improving the schools’ facilities.

“The classrooms are competitive in terms of the technology,” she said. “ I like the fact that they are getting (the technology) up.”

One challenge Davis said the school board needs to take is getting more qualified teachers in the parish.

“We need to get them here to stay,” she said. “We need people passionate about educating our youth.”

Davis said identifying what is going right at one school, and implementing that in the other schools is something that could really help boost education in the parish.

“I would like to see the school board identify what is going well so we can share those ideas,” she said. “This would make us strong overall as a parish.”

Davis said if she is elected, she will do more than just attend the monthly meetings.

“I would commit to being a hands on representative for each school,” she said. “I have already met with the principals to see what their issues are, and if I am elected I will visit at least one school in our parish per month.”

Martha J. Rabb

Rabb has served on the school board for 12 years. Though she declined to be interviewed, she did answer several questions via written statement.

“During my time on the board, I have made every effort to provide the best for our system.” she said. “I have tried to make the best possible decisions within local, state and national guidelines and considering what is best for students.”

Rabb taught at Ferriday Lower Elementary School for 12 years before serving on the school board.

“In my classroom, I worked hard to make a difference for each child,” she said in the statement. “Because I have two great-grandchildren attending school in our system, I am especially committed now to having a positive impact on education in this parish.

“I feel that knowledge I have gained from my experience as a teacher and as a school board member is vital in achieving the best for our students. Knowing where we have come from and where we want to be will be especially important over the next four years as our system faces the effects of the slowed economy.”

Rabb said she is proud of the school system and the work the board has done in recent years. Focusing on student achievement and increasing parental involvement are areas in which she wants to see more growth.