Dr. Kim Bridges shares her insightful journey onto the Richmond Public Schools school board. In this candid interview, Dr. Bridges explores the often-controversial process of school rezoning and redistricting, offering a unique perspective on the complexities and challenges involved. She delves into the inherent difficulties of sustaining meaningful change within a large public school system, highlighting the many hurdles that can arise even with the best intentions, especially when true community engagement is neglected. Furthermore, Dr. Bridges explores how her personal identities shaped her tenure on the school board, influencing her relationships with colleagues, the community, and her approach to decision-making. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion that illuminates the intricate realities of public education leadership.
Resources:
Bridges, K., Castro, A., Siegel-Hawley, G. (February 2021). Public Comment Equity: Imbalance of Voices. American School Board Journal. Imbalance of Voices (nsba.org)
Castro, A. J., Siegel-Hawley, G., Bridges, K, & Williams, S. E. (2022). Narratives of Race in School Rezoning: How the Politics of Whiteness Shape Belonging, Leadership Decisions, and School Attendance Boundaries. AERA Open. https://doi.org/10.1177/23328584221091274
Castro, A., Siegel-Hawley, G., Bridges, K., & Williams, S. E. (2023). Drawn Into Policy: A Systematic Review of School Rezoning Rationales, Processes, and Outcomes. Review of Educational Research, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.3102/00346543231195816
Collins, J. (2021). Should School Boards Be in Charge? The Effects of Exposure to Participatory and Deliberative School Board Meetings. Peabody Journal of Education, 96(3), 341–355. https://doi.org/10.1080/0161956X.2021.1943239
Siegel-Hawley, G., Castro, A. J., Bridges, K., & Taylor, K. (2021). Race and School Rezoning Criteria. Contexts, 20(3), 72–75. https://doi.org/10.1177/15365042211035348
Siegel-Hawley, G., Castro, A., Bridges, K., & Wilson, T. (2023). School Rezoning for Integration. Integration and Equity 2.0: New and Reinvigorated Approaches to School Integration, American Institutes for Research. https://www.air.org/integration-and-equity-2-0-essays
