By: Sharon Aron Baron
With over 16 years of serving the public working with various city budgets, and her experience with three of her own children attending public schools, Tennille Doe-Decoste told members of the Coral Springs/Parkland Democratic Club why she would be the best school board candidate.
“You need someone who is going to make sound decisions, who already has experience looking at budgets and tearing it apart in HR. I’m the one who implements and insures we follow policy.”
At Thursday night’s meeting, Doe-Decoste listed her qualifications on why she should be elected to school board District 4 representing Coral Springs, Parkland, Tamarac and parts of North Lauderdale and Margate. Candidate Lori Alhadeff was not in attendance.
As the mother of a special-needs child, she said there aren’t enough programs for them. She also doesn’t agree with taking out arts and music out of elementary school as that is how her daughter’s brain is stimulated.
The 41-year-old assistant director of parks and recreation for the city of Miramar has been endorsed by the Broward Principals’ and Assistants’ Association, Broward County Commissioner Dale Holness, Coral Springs City Commissioner Joy Carter, Tamarac City Commissioner Julie Fishman, North Lauderdale City Commissioner Samson Borgelin, and the Democratic Progressive Caucus of Florida.
A former human resources director for the city of Delray Beach, Doe-Decoste holds a master’s degree in human resources development and administration from Barry University.
She has been married for 17 years to her husband Julien, a respiratory therapist at Genesis Healthcare. They have three children: Destinie 23, Julien 18, and Jada, age 17.
“In my job as assistant director, I oversee childcare and camp programs. I know some of our schools have cut or will cut art and music programs, which I think is ridiculous. I know how to implement these invaluable programs if I’m elected,” said Doe-Decoste.
“Of course I want to improve school safety in Parkland, but I also think it’s important to look at improving all of the schools in District 4. Look at how many Title 1 schools are in Broward County – how many students are on reduced or free lunch. We should care about that on the school board.”
She told the audience that she was concerned about whether children are reading at a proficient level by third grade, and added she wants mental health programs before and after school.
Asked about her position on arming teachers, Doe-Decoste said: “I’m against guns in school, because if you want to get rid of a problem, you don’t bring more guns to fix the problem. Teachers should not be walking around with guns. They’re here to educate.”
Jen Russon contributed to this article