Taj Polack running for seat on Board of Education
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on January 7, 2016 1:46 PM
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Taj Jamal Polack
Taj Jamal Polack, a Goldsboro firefighter, is seeking the District 3 seat on the Wayne County Board of Education.
Four people have filed for the seat, currently held by Patricia Burden. The retired educator was appointed by the board in May 2014 to complete the term of Thelma Smith, who passed away that February. Ms. Burden had indicated at the outset that she intended to run when the term was up in 2016.
Others vying for the post include Trebor Jackson and Charles Wright, both whom have run previously.
Polack, 37, said his platform is to protect the opportunities and resources for the county's youth.
"As we know, all kids aren't going to college or pursuing military careers," he said. "I do want to ensure that they are provided with adequate alternatives, such as vocations and various options for career paths that will help them become productive citizens."
Commending the districts and schools that are performing well, Polack said he has concerns for those that did not fare as well, reflected in the most recent test scores.
"I am aware that these issues did not manifest overnight but am very optimistic that with partnering with the community and getting feedback from other agencies I am confident that the goals that have been placed on our children are attainable," he said. "I would like to see the mayor's (Chuck Allen's) model that he presented at his installation, where he referenced a hexagon style of interaction.
"He spoke of the city, base, school system, housing authority and citizens working together to create positive solutions in our community."
March makes 17 years that Polack has been with the local fire department, serving at most of the city stations. He has been at Station 4 for about eight and one-half years.
He lives in Goldsboro with his wife, Lekeshia, a hairstylist with her own business, Special Touch.
He attended Goldsboro High School until his senior year, graduating from Eastern Wayne in 1996. The experience proved beneficial, he says now.
"I missed a lot of school because of a death in the family, but was privy to being exposed to different schools and two different cultures," he said. "Eastern Wayne was at that time a more diverse school and a more cultured school and I enjoyed that experience.
"I see us getting away from that culture in the inner city, within the central attendance area."
In preparation for the campaign, he said he did a virtual tour of the county's high schools and saw a contrast in the programs offered at different schools.
"In comparison to some of the central attendance schools, it pales in comparison," he said. "One thing, this applies to Goldsboro High School primarily but the band no longer exists at this moment and that affects a lot of opportunities. I would like to see that restored."
He says his main focus as a board member would be toward providing equal opportunities or all the county's students.
His interest in education was instilled early on, he said, through his mother, who taught special education until her retirement from Johnston County Schools.
"I remember times she brought kids to the house to actually go further," he said. "My grandmother, myself and my mom would help her students on high school level learn how to read. So her passion directed me."
He has been a substitute teacher with Wayne County Public Schools and also worked with the Department of Juvenile Justice in Lenoir County at Dobbs School in Kinston.
Between that and the fact that his home, and his workplace, are located in proximity to an "impoverished area," Polack said he looks forward to interacting with different agencies to find more resources for that community.
"Statistics prove that lack of education leads to an increase in crime and poverty and being that we're trying to make Goldsboro more attractive and marketable, we need to focus and hone in on the issues that basically can make or break," he said. "On a daily basis I see what the effects of lack of education can do. Two of the schools that are in my district are some of the lowest scoring schools in the whole school district, Carver Heights (Elementary) and Dillard Middle.
"I just want to assure the community that under my watch, I will do all that it takes to improve the scores or try to work with improving the scores by interacting with the community and working with resources."
Enlisting support from parents is vital, he said.
"You see a lot of parental involvement up through the elementary years but then the involvement kind of wavers," he said. "I definitely want to engage with the parents and make them more accountable and educate them on the importance of their children's future and be an advocate for the children as well."
Despite some of the issues that need to be addressed, Polack said he is very optimistic about the educational system and believes that things are moving in a positive direction.
With efforts like the revitalization of downtown Goldsboro and other actions to improve the community, Polack maintains that the greatest investment that can be made is to focus on the future generation.
"As we know, all great societies are sustained by their youth and should be equipped with an optimal education," he said.
"I want to be known as the candidate that is approachable and will fight for equality throughout our community to preserve the great direction that we're going in in Goldsboro and protecting our greatest investment, which is our youth."