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Ayanna Crawford, a past educator, current aide to a state representative and owner of a small business, is challenging long-term School Committee member Peter M. Murphy for the District 4 seat this year. Ahead of Tuesday, The Republican reached out to all candidates for the opposed School Committee seats to answer a short questionnaire. The Republican is publishing the candidates’ answers to the questions online and in print. Find more candidates and responses at masslive.com/topic/election. Name: Ayanna C. Crawford Address: 48 Champlain St., Indian Orchard Profession: Chief of staff for state Rep. Orlando Ramos Position running for: District 4, Wards 2 and 8 School Committee Introductory statement: A lifelong resident of Springfield, Ayanna Crawford is also personally motivated to improve the local school system, as her own grandson is a student in the Springfield Public Schools. Crawford spent 20 years as an educator in the Springfield Public Schools and also taught as an adjunct professor at Springfield Technical Community College. She holds a master’s degree in education from Springfield College, complementing her bachelor’s degree in psychology and education from Westfield State University. Since 2020, she has served as chief of staff for Massachusetts State Rep. Orlando Ramos, an experience that has provided her with deeper political insight and access to resources. She is the president of AC Consulting and Media Services, where she helps nonprofits with public relations and marketing. For over a decade, Crawford has run “Take the Mic,” a program that helps young girls develop confidence and public speaking skills. The program was later expanded to include adults. What letter grade would you give the school system? Why? Data from the official 2025 Accountability Report provides a comprehensive picture of the district’s performance. Overall classification: The district is classified as “Not requiring assistance or intervention.” It made “moderate progress toward targets,” achieving a 49% cumulative target percentage. High-level indicators: The statewide system assesses performance across multiple weighted categories, including: achievement (based on MCAS scores), student growth (student growth percentile), English language proficiency progress. Current grade of B+. What is the biggest challenge the schools face? School safety and discipline: In 2023, a disciplinary report highlighted safety concerns and potential inequities in how students are disciplined within SPS. These issues disrupt the learning environment and are a major concern for both teachers and parents. Disproportionate impact: The report showed that students with disabilities are disciplined at higher rates, pointing to potential systemic issues within the district. The school budget is roughly two-thirds of the city budget, and there are concerns about federal and state assistance dropping. How should the School Committee address any loss of funding? The committee must be clear and transparent with the public about the district’s financial situation. This includes explaining the reasons behind budget restrictions and the potential impact on programs and services. The committee should engage with parents, staff, and other community stakeholders to get input and build a shared understanding of the trade-offs involved in making difficult budget decisions. The committee should use public meetings, like the ones already held by SPS, to discuss the budget and allow for public comment. With the MCAS no longer a condition of graduation, what should the diploma requirements be? I agree with the Springfield new competency determination policy. In addition to state requirements, students must demonstrate mastery of subject matter by passing the final assessment for a course, completing a capstone or portfolio project, or an equivalent. For the Class of 2026, students must complete two years of English; one year of algebra I and geometry, or two years of integrated math; and one year of biology, physics, chemistry, technology or engineering. Starting with the Class of 2027, students must take a one-year U.S. history course.
