Jodi Kennedy, a candidate for the Weber School Board District 2 seat, has outlined her priorities and professional background in a survey response, according to a October 21 report. Kennedy, an educator, emphasized the importance of the school board role as a bridge between local communities and public education systems.
Kennedy reported having 38 years of experience as an educator, including 33 years serving within the Weber School District. Her professional history includes roles as a classroom teacher and service on multiple community councils. She served six years on the Sandridge Jr. High Community Council as a parent representative and eight years on the South Ogden Jr. High Community Council as a teacher representative.
If elected, Kennedy stated her main priorities would be fiscal stewardship and budget management, long-term academic growth, and workforce and talent strategy. She expressed a need for the Weber School District to be more conscientious regarding spending and budget constraints. Kennedy noted that current constraints have prevented the district from providing teachers with step raises or lane-change monies after they have used personal financial resources for advanced degrees.
Regarding academic instruction, Kennedy proposed a focus on evidence-based literacy and math instruction, targeted intervention for struggling students, and system-level changes to improve consistency and teacher support. She noted that district data shows both achievement gaps and areas of strength, such as growth among the lowest-performing students.
Kennedy described her connection to the Weber School District as spanning three generations, noting that she, her children, and her grandchildren have all been part of the district. She also addressed the role of compromise, stating that in local politics, it involves finding common ground on shared goals like student success and fiscal health.
Kennedy did not provide a response regarding the best way for readers to contact her or obtain more information about her platform.
