Cynthia Briscoe Brown, a respected member of the Atlanta Board of Education, is honoring her campaign commitment by not seeking a fourth term in office.
Her departure paves the way for a new candidate to fill her citywide position, At-Large Seat 8, one of four seats set for election on November 4.
Unlike the other seats in Districts 2, 4, and 6, Brown’s position will be voted on by the entire city of Atlanta.
Three candidates have thrown their hats into the ring to succeed her for a four-year term: Kaycee Brock, a college counselor and former first-grade teacher; Royce Mann, an education activist and recent Emory University graduate who ran in 2021; and Aisha Allen Stith, a social media professional.
Cynthia Brown, who also holds a position on the WABE public radio board, has refrained from endorsing any candidate for her seat but emphasized the weight of the responsibilities involved in the role.
With an Atlanta Public Schools (APS) budget of $1.85 billion set for the 2025–26 school year—almost double the city of Atlanta’s $975.4 million general fund—the stakes are high.
Funding for this budget largely comes from local property taxes, impacting over 47,000 students and employing more than 9,000 teachers and support staff, including for charter schools, every year.
In a recent conversation with Atlanta Civic Circle, Brown reflected on her 12 years of service and shared insights for her successor.
When asked about her decision not to run for a fourth term, Brown stated, “Nobody should be a school board member for life.”
Her involvement began as a parent within the APS system, and with her youngest child graduating the year after her election in 2013, Brown felt it was time for someone closer to the current student body to step in.
Among her proudest achievements during her tenure is her role in addressing APS’s significant challenges following a cheating scandal and accreditation crisis.
She noted, “I think we have come a long way towards restoring trust in the system.”
Brown highlighted the passage of the first equity policy in APS history in 2019, which she co-authored.
This policy recognized the systemic inequities within the district and committed the board to actively combat these issues in all areas of operations.
With approximately 85% of APS students identifying as non-white and four out of five on free or reduced lunch, the district’s challenges are deeply intertwined with the community it serves.
“We have kids from dozens of nations speaking dozens of languages.
We must serve the community that we are,” she emphasized.
As for advice to her successor, Brown advised, “Always remember that behind every data point, behind every budget item, behind every decision is the face of a child.”
She stressed the importance of student welfare in decision-making processes, implying that maintaining this perspective would guide her successor to make positive choices.
Looking ahead, Brown identified budget issues as the primary challenge awaiting the incoming board members in the next four years.
She explained that current undervaluation of commercial real estate in Atlanta is affecting budgeting for essential services.
Additionally, uncertainty about future state and federal education support complicates long-term planning.
Another pressing issue is the shifting housing situation for APS students, particularly in light of gentrification in some neighborhoods and decline in others.
This dynamic creates fluctuating enrollment patterns that the board must effectively manage.
Moreover, housing affordability is a significant concern as it impacts where families can afford to live.
Brown revealed that a surprising number of students—approximately 1,800 in the previous fiscal year—are considered homeless.
This instability complicates their education as frequent relocations disrupt their schooling.
“We don’t get the luxury of doing nothing but instruction,” Brown stated.
She noted that the APS serves as the city’s largest social service agency, providing essential resources like food, clothing, after-school care, and counseling.
“We make sure that our kids are able to show up every morning, ready and able to learn,” she said.
Looking forward to her own future, Brown is eager to find new avenues to serve her community.
“I need to be in a relationship and in a community with people.
This is not my last career move.
I’m not cut out for sitting at home and eating bonbons,” she declared.
Reflecting on her time on the board, she affirmed that it was the most significant role she has undertaken, calling it “the hardest job you’ll ever love.”
Brown made a poignant statement about the importance of school board elections, asserting, “School boards and similar races are the last bastion of true democracy.”
She noted that the opportunity for someone like her—without prior political experience—to be elected to a citywide office alongside the mayor is remarkable.
With voter turnout for these elections typically low, however, she underscored their consequential impact on the city’s future, emphasizing that the children being educated today will grow up to be the leaders of tomorrow.
Brown cited the pathways carved by former school board members who have transitioned into significant roles in city government, illustrating how pivotal these positions can be for shaping the future of Atlanta.
image source from：atlantaciviccircle
