CHAPEL HILL – Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board candidate, Andrew Davidson, says one of his ideas to help close the achievement gap include a program similar to that which was implemented at Frank Porter Graham Elementary this year.

WCHL’s Ran Northam spoke with Davidson about his seeking election to the School Board and how he believes he’ll best serve the students and parents of the district.

***Listen to the Interview***

FPG opened in August as the district’s first dual language program focusing on the Hispanic population.

“We have two additional populations—the African-American population and the Karen population—that we need to find similarly, culturally-specific methods for addressing that achievement gap,” Davidson says. “Some of the ideas that I have are expanding summer programs, because they say—especially with economically disadvantaged students—there’s a summer gap.”

Four candidates are contending for three seats on the school board.

Davidson says that, if elected, he’ll be a fresh voice, which he says the board needs.

“I’ve got fresh ideas,” Davidson says. “I’m not part of the regime that hired Tom Forcella—and I like Tom Forcella a lot—but I also do think that’s it’s the board’s responsibility to provide oversight for the superintendent. I think that’s a natural progression for new voices to come in and present new ideas, and challenge some of the assumptions that have been held so far.”

Between now and Election Day, we’ll be previewing each of the candidates one-on-one.

For more on Davidson, click here.