KATHLEEN CANNINO
for
ST. Tammany Parish School Board,
District 2
Vote TODAY – DEC. 10th
I have the passion, the drive, and the focus, now I just need your support!
Meet Kathleen
My name is Kathleen Cannino, I am running for St. Tammany Parish School Board, District 2.
I grew up in St. Tammany parish and attended our public schools. I graduated from Fontainebleau High School in Mandeville. I received my B.A. in Psychology from Southeastern Louisiana University. My husband and I live in Covington with our two amazing children.
WHY I’M RUNNING
Four years ago, while attending pre-k in a St. Tammany parish public elementary school, my son and his classmates were mistreated by their teacher and paraprofessionals. As a result of that experience, I began advocating in schools on behalf of my son and all children in our parish and throughout Louisiana. While my son’s experience is not typical, families need help navigating many other issues. I spend much of my free time helping parents and teachers in our community and educating myself about the rights of children and parents. We must put our children first. I believe that actions speak louder than words and I am dedicated to improving our schools for all children and staff. If elected, I believe I can truly make a difference.
TAKING ACTION
In 2019, I began working with legislators to create a law to allow for the installation of cameras in special education classrooms, upon parental request. My goal is to prevent other families from going through what our family experienced. For the next four years, I dedicated much of my time and effort to get this legislation passed. In 2021, Senate Bill 86 Cameras in Special Education Classrooms passed unanimously and became law in Louisiana, as Act 456. During the 2022 legislative session, I worked with advocates and Senator Franklin Foil to pass Act 588, strengthening the current law (Act 456) by adding additional language and a deadline for districts to comply.
Funding was the last major barrier for parents who wanted to request a camera in their child’s classrooms. The camera law allowed families to pay for the cameras if the school district did not have the funding. However, I did not want this financial burden placed on families. I began a letter-writing campaign and went to Baton Rouge to speak to legislators about the much-needed funding. Through advocacy we successfully helped secure that funding for all school districts. The $8 million needed to pay for cameras in self-contained special education classrooms was added to the state MFP (Minimum Foundation Program) for the 2022-2023 school year. The funding will soon be available to every district in Louisiana.
Areas of Focus
Supporting Teachers & Staff
We are losing teachers daily due to the current working conditions. Supporting school staff by providing the necessary training and supports is critical to improving our schools. The board must prioritize retaining and recruiting high-quality teachers. Without heavily investing resources into our classrooms and staff, conditions will worsen. If we want our schools to be successful for our children, then we must be willing to take a hard look at what is not working and take action to change those things.
Education
Getting back to the basics. We must ensure that every student learns foundational skills such as math, reading, and writing. Without these foundational skills, our children will not be successful in school and beyond. Teachers must be allowed to meet the needs of all children including those who do not fit into a standard, one size fits all mold. We must be willing to do what works best for our students. I believe if we work together, St. Tammany Parish School District has the talent and resources necessary to ensure every child becomes the best version of themselves.
Accountability
If we are serious about improving our schools, we must be willing to hold ourselves accountable. As the district is made aware of issues facing students and staff, we must be proactive in working together to address these issues. Behavior and bullying in our schools are two areas that must be addressed to ensure the safety of all students and staff members. If teachers and students do not feel safe, they cannot effectively teach or learn. Accountability is critical for our schools and leaders. Without accountability, progress and improvement will not happen. Board members must be willing to listen and act.
Transparency
Purposeful and intentional transparency with parents and the public. Parents must have a say in their children’s education and I will always defend parental rights when it comes to the health, safety, and welfare of their children. Providing ease of access to the public enables schools and families to work collaboratively to achieve and maintain higher standards for their students and school district.
Ensuring that employees as well as members of the public are able to add items to the agenda will allow the board to discuss and address concerns quickly and efficiently. We must be purposeful in our efforts of transparency and seek input from all stakeholders. Transparency is an important part of effectively changing the current trajectory of our schools and repairing public trust.
Policy Change
Policy change, such as changing to whom the internal auditor reports. Currently, the St. Tammany parish school board’s internal auditor reports to the superintendent. The superintendent then reports the findings to the board. The purpose of the internal audit is to hold the district accountable and demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement. For this reason, It’s important that the internal auditor report to both the Superintendent and the School Board.
Issues I want to address:
Putting children first.
Addressing current working conditions. Educators are overwhelmed with paperwork and testing requirements.
The Board needs to work on listening to issues and improving schools through policy changes.
Investing in our teachers and schools. Teachers, therapists, paraprofessionals, bus drivers must be provided with the necessary support, resources, and training.
Bullying and bad behavior are often not addressed and there is a culture of silence in schools.
Making sure the public is informed.
Overcrowding of schools.
Parents must have a say in their children's education.
Endorsements
I am 1000% supporting Kathleen Cannino for the St. Tammany Parish School Board, District 2. She is a parent, not a politician, who has already accomplished transparency and accountability in our schools. As the mother of a special needs child, she has successfully fought for cameras in the classrooms of kids who can’t speak up for themselves. She has no interest other that the best possible education for our children, and is just what we need in these times of politicization, nonsense, and shenanigans in our schools. For more info, visit VoteCannino.com. Thanks!!
This election, St. Tammany comes to a fork in the road, and we collectively have to decide which road is the best for our children and grandchildren. We can take the road that is known which muddles along and has gotten us nowhere, or we can take a road that offers real change and opportunity for a better tomorrow. I am personally endorsing Kathleen Cannino for School Board District 2.
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FLYER
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