Candidate Profile: Catherine Pozniak For Cobb Board Of Ed. District 4

CHEROKEE COUNTY, GA — Two candidates are running for Cobb Board Of Education District 4 in the May 24 General Primary Election.

Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as the primary draws near.

Catherine Pozniak is running for Cobb Board Of Education District 4.

<b>Name</b>

Dr. Catherine Pozniak

<b>Campaign website</b>

https://www.catherinepozniak.c...

<b>City or town of residence</b>

Northeast Cobb

<b>Office sought</b>

Cobb County Board of Education, Post 4

<b>Party affiliation</b>

Democrat

<b>Education</b>

Kincaid Elementary, Daniell Middle School, Sprayberry High School Class of 1997, University of Sydney First Class Honors, University of Cambridge - Master's, Harvard University - Doctor of Education Leadership

<b>Occupation</b>

Educator - 18 years

<b>Family</b>

n/a

<b>Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?</b>

n/a

<b>Age</b>

42

<b>Previous public office, appointive or elective</b>

Executive Director, State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (Louisiana)
Assistant State Superintendent, Louisiana Department of Education

<b>Why are you seeking this office?</b>

I am a Cobb County graduate and educator running for school board at perhaps the most critical time in the history of K-12 public education. I am seeking this post to bring my experience leading large-scale education systems to my home district.

<b>Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ___, and this is what I intend to do about it.</b>

The most pressing issue facing our education system is developing and implementing a plan to ensure *all* of Cobb's students are ready for college, career, and/or military service upon graduation. The foundation of this plan should be a coherent academic strategy grounded in high-quality curricula and robust professional learning opportunities for teachers and instructional staff. As a member of the board, I will work to ensure Cobb deploys its resources - including its budget - in service of this plan.

<b>What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?</b>

I have the most expertise and years of experience in education. I have been an instructional leader, and I lead a practice focused on education finance. I understand how children learn and will make informed decisions about how the district spends its money to support teaching and learning.

<b>If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?</b>

As the board chair, my opponent leads with partisanship and a political agenda that does not serve the families of Cobb County. He has cast the deciding vote to restrict student and teacher voice as well as the constituency of three democratically elected board members. He has squandered the school district's money to his own political gain. He extended the superintendent's contract -- worth over $700K annually -- until 2025 without an evaluation or public discussion. Parents, schools, and community members testify consistently that my opponent has been chronically unresponsive to his constituents. Overall, he has treated Cobb's students and families with indifference, he has acted in his own self-interest, and his leadership has eroded public accountability for taxpayer dollars.

<b>What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?</b>

Broadly, my campaign is focused on the district's academic strategy and accompanying budget, especially its use of $250 million of federal relief money that could set the school district on a dramatically improved trajectory. As part of this, my campaign will focus on literacy and special education services - two critical areas where Cobb County School District is particularly vulnerable.

<b>What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?</b>

I served as an assistant state superintendent, overseeing an education budget of $5.5 billion. I continue to work with districts and states across the country on local, state, and federal education policy matters. I have been direct commissioned into the U.S. Army Reserve to served as an Education Officer because of my expertise in public education systems. I am a certified teacher and hold a superintendent endorsement. But my most important credential that qualifies me for this job is my time as a classroom teacher. From first-hand experience, I know what it takes to teach a child to read. I have felt the urgency of every minute of instruction. And I have experienced the difference between a system that supports learning and a system that stands in the way. Plus, anyone who can hold command over 25 kindergartners could probably run the world.

<b>What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?</b>

Learn by doing.

<b>Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?</b>

I'd love to hear from you, whether you are a student, a parent, a teacher, a voter, or whoever. Hearing about your experiences and concerns helps me develop smarter, more responsive positions. You can submit comments via my website www.catherinepozniak.com. Thank you!