Kanesha Venning
Non-Partisan | Georgia
Candidate Profile
Moderate
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Kanesha Venning
Party
Non-Partisan
Election Year
2021
Election
Atlanta School Board
Race
Atlanta School Board - At Large Seat 7
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Morris Brown College, Atlanta
Georgia State University, Atlanta, BA, 2009
WORK & MILITARY
(Candidate did not provide)
AFFILIATIONS
Helping Empower Youth, Co-Founder & Executive Director, Center of Civic Innovation
2021 Fellow, United Way Volunteer Involvement Program, Graduate
AmeriCorps Alum, 2005-2007, Oasis Family Life Church
Minister
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
(Candidate did not provide)
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
Race
ENDORSEMENTS
LIBERAL (1)
Equity in Education Atlanta
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (3)
Equity in Education
The Black Slate, Inc.
AFSCME - Local 1644
SELECTED FINANCIAL SOURCE DOCUMENTS
Campaign Finance Reports
*Information was received by iVoterGuide after panel evaluations occurred.
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
Neutral
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not be a resource for instruction or services in the school.
Neutral
ECONOMY
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Agree
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
School districts should be able to use taxpayer money for lobbying the state legislature.
Strongly Disagree
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
School districts should not discriminate against individuals, organizations or small businesses because of their belief that marriage is only a union of one man and one woman.
Strongly Agree
At school, students should be able to speak freely and civilly about matters of conscience and faith, including Christianity.
Strongly Agree
Students should not be allowed to pray in school.
Strongly Disagree
EDUCATION
What is the function of the local school board?
The function of the school board is to manage their one employee, the Superintendent, and to create policies steeped in research, best practices and AND equally important family and community input. The board is also there to serve as goodwill ambassadors in the community, city, state and country at large to ensure board members are constantly aware of the results of policies enacted.
Who should have the authority to set curriculum and determine resources used in those curricula?
The superintendent and senior staff should make final decisions on curricula and resources with guidance from the board and with teacher, community and family input.
Please list in order the following priorities in relation to the role of a K-12 public school (omitting any that do not apply): Mathematics, Information Technology, Science, Political Activism, Personal Finances, Gender Identity, Physical Fitness, American History, Critical Race Theory, Language Arts, Art & Music, Vocational Learning, Sexuality, Foreign Language, Social Emotional Learning
Language Arts Mathematics Science Vocational Learning Foreign Language Information Technology Social Emotional Learning Personal Finances Critical Race Theory/American History - separating these is part of the issue Art & Music Physical Fitness
Every state should mandate K-12 standardized tests and use of teaching software which aligns with Common Core standards.
Disagree
Schools should use Social Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum and resources to teach emotions, values, and relationships.
Strongly Agree
I support the teaching of the 1619 Project emphasizing slavery and racism as the foundation of American history.
Strongly Agree
When students are taught courses such as Comprehensive Sex Ed (CSE) or Social Emotional Learning (SEL), they must opt-in with written parental permission.
Strongly Agree
Parents are the ultimate authority in their child’s education and should be able to freely pursue whatever educational options they deem best for their child.
Strongly Agree
VALUES
No school official should be involved in the sexual transitioning of a student. All issues on this subject should be referred to the parents of the student.
Strongly Agree
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality that is necessary for our system of limited government.
Neutral
Teachers should not use alternative names and pronouns without parental permission.
Neutral
Therapy to help children turn from unwanted same-sex attraction or gender dysphoria should be banned.
Strongly Disagree
iVoterGuide Notes:
iVoterGuide Note: After the voter guide was published, candidate notified iVoterGuide that the intended answer to this survey question should have been 'Strongly Agree'.
I support allowing public high school students to participate in athletic competition based on the gender with which they identify instead of biological sex.
Neutral
No healthcare diagnosis or treatment, whether mental, reproductive, or otherwise, should be given to a child without first receiving written consent from the parent.
Strongly Agree
Who is responsible for teaching sexual education to children, and what is the appropriate age when it should be taught?
Parents and caregivers hold the ultimate responsibility. The appropriate age is deemed by the parents and caregivers. Biological and scientific education in schools should begin no later than 5th grade. While, we may not what to accept that students that young engage in sex or sexual activities, having worked in many schools, 5th grade can be too late.
If you support the teaching of Sex Ed, please answer the following question: Sexual education should include these topics (list all that apply and add your own, if needed) -- Physical and emotional health outcomes; contraceptive methods; consent; abstinence; sexual orientation and gender identity; human anatomy/the reproductive system; abortion methods and side effects; stages of pregnancy and fetal development; sex acts and pleasures of sex
Sexual education should include these topics: -- Physical and emotional health outcomes; contraceptive methods; consent; abstinence; sexual orientation and gender identity; human anatomy/the reproductive system; abortion methods and side effects; stages of pregnancy and fetal development;
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a proud ordained Christian minister. I believe in the Bible.
ABOUT YOU
Why are you running for this office?
I believe that all students deserve someone who can ask the hard questions and utilize influence to create policies that are student and family centered. My work as a nonprofit founder and Executive Director puts me in direct contact with families that have not been empowered to use the agency of their voices and thus need someone who will help navigate the educational experience with them by considering them when policies are created. I have worked in school communities for over 20 years and taking my experience to the policy and legislative level is the next step in serving my community at large.
A candidate's personal moral values should not be relevant when considering a candidacy for elective office.
Disagree
What books have had the most profound impact on your view of life?
The Bible The Disease to Please Purpose Driven Life Anything by Nikki Giovanni I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
BA - Sociology Co-Founder and Executive Director of a youth serving nonprofit AmeriCorps Alum Parent and Educator Training
Considering all issues (social, economic, national security, etc.), which of these best describes you?
Moderate
Please defend your answer to the previous question by referencing your publicly available track record.
I have yet to serve in office. I don't have a publicly available track records.
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
No.
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
I serve community well and lead with grace and love.
2ND AMENDMENT
Teachers who are licensed to carry should be allowed to carry guns at school.
Strongly Disagree
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
Do you support mandatory vaccinations for children attending public school?
No. But I support mandatory vaccinations for the adults who serve and teach our children.
