I am Sabrina M. Allen, a Tallahassee native; I have lived in Tallahassee all my life. My grandmother, Daisy Allen Hall, was a 35-year educator in Leon County.I am an educator — not a basketball coach. I have taught English and reading for 15 years. For four consecutive years in Leon County, 97 percent of my students passed the FCAT Writing Assessment. My reading students either pass the FCAT or they make gains.John Owens Pons Jr. has refused to have a “webcast interview” or “debate” with me. What is he afraid of?I told the Tallahassee Democratthat, if the half-cent sales tax doesn’t pass, I’ll put money into our children, teachers, and staff — instead of brick and mortar.The annual $20 million sales tax hasn’t improved education for our children. Too many children are failing these statewide tests. The district is a “B” district, not an “A.”

The Department of Education raised the FCAT Standards because four out of five students could not pass grade level assessments, yet schools received A’s.

Leon County Schools has the fifth-highest dropout rate in the state for black students. I will improve secondary-school retention rates.

Pons tries to sell himself as part of the half-cent sales tax. He promises millions to the south side. The south side should get what they need without bargaining with Pons.

Pons says that the district “had to cut $111 million.” He never says or shows where it was cut. Recently, the Democrat reported that the district had millions  in “cushion” money.

There is too much waste in the district. Nobody is held accountable. In these times, I want to know where and how every dollar is spent. I’m publicly calling for an audit of Leon County Schools’ books.

When the Tallahassee Democrat called black male students “boys,” it reminded me of the Phipps plantation where Pons was raised and his daddy was the overseer.

Leon County Schools is broken; I know because I’m raising four grandchildren in the district.

Pons didn’t even graduate from public high school. He would have run for Congress, but the black ministers said they supported Al Lawson.

Vote Sabrina M. Allen for superintendent. I am qualified to ensure all students receive equal opportunities for high-quality education.