Why Black businesses should support my candidacy for school board?

Why Black businesses should support my candidacy for school board?
By Bernadine Kent

As an advocate for students in school, I became concerned when I discovered the district’s No Child Left Behind Tutoring program was fraught with fraud, waste, and abuse, and contracts were being awarded based on close relationships and political influence. This fraud cost the students their entitled tutoring services, placed them at risk of danger, promoted identity theft, defrauded millions in tax dollars as well as prevented what may have been legitimate tutoring companies from aiding our students in reaching their required level of achievement in math and reading.

The fraud in the No Child Left Behind tutoring program remained unchecked until I finally brought the fraud to the attention of the Ohio Auditor of State. Being a board member would mean all businesses desiring to contract with the district would be able to count on the fact I would not tolerate fraud, waste, or abuse of any kind and would ensure any bias shown in awarding contracts would also not be tolerated.

Additionally, the district is hoping to ask the taxpayers to support another bond levy to continue the district’s rebuilding plan. As a board member, I would acknowledge historically and to date, black contractors and all ethnicities, who are builders and laborers have not received a fair share of the school districts’ contracts; and the record continues to be tragically dismal.

I am committed to supporting and promoting through education and career development the advancement of Black contractors. I am committed to ensuring our students understand the importance of business ownership and its importance in reducing wide-based income inequality. Business ownership is one of the reasons I am adamant about our students exposure to technology, which will provide our students easy access to information and the ability to possibly create, start and market a business. Please view my website for further information on the No Child Left Behind Tutoring Fraud at www.votekentforcolumbusschoolboard.com.