Trina Robinson Interview
October 23, 2002
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I met Trina Robinson at the NAACP office in the Colfax Cultural Center on Lincolnway West. The former Colfax School is in my neighborhood and a short drive from where Trina works.
When I arrived at the Center at 5:30 PM, the parking lots were nearly full. Little girls in dance attire hopped toward the Gothic building, parents close behind their cherubs. Dance class tonight.
I entered and ambled over to the information desk. "Trina Robinson?" I asked.
"Tom Brown?" replied the attendant. I nodded my head, yes. I was expected. He pointed down a corridor. "She's in the office at the end of the hall.''
It was the NAACP office. Trina is a board member of the local chapter. As I entered, Trina was concluding an informal meeting with the President of the NAACP, Rebecca Johnson. We introduced ourselves all around.
Trina is dressed in a business suit, counterpoint to my home-office sweats. Trina is charming and fun to be with -- this would be an easy interview.
TB: Is this your first run for public office?
TR: Yes.
TB: Why the school board of trustees?
TR: I began working with the NAACP on the issue of school redistricting two years ago. I learned a lot about the SBCSC system and how it works.
I realize the system needs improvement. The community no longer entirely trusts the board of trustees to represent them, and I want to restore the integrity and trust which has been lost.
Did you know that, as a resident of South Bend, I've never received an invitation to discuss issues with a school board trustee? Not once.
TB: Do you have family in town?
TR: I am the mother of two grown children living on their own, one a sophomore at Bethel College. My immediate family lives in South Bend except for a sister in Boston and a brother in Arizona. There are three grandbabies. I am single. I have time to devote to school board work.
TB: How does your family feel about you running for office?
TR: I am close to my family, and I talked with them before declaring my candidacy. Politics can turn personal and nasty so I wanted my family's approval and support. I even visited my sister in Boston. She is a very analytical person. I knew she would be the most objective family member about the whole thing. It really helped talking to her.
TB: What do you do for a living?
TR: I work at Crowe Chizek in South Bend. We have a large staff of professionals who travel and work on multiple projects. My administrative team assists with administrative duties like scheduling which allows our client service staff to focus on chargeable work.
Crowe Chizek is a wonderful company. I appreciate the family-oriented atmosphere there. If you have a sick child at home, they are very understanding and adjust hours to important family needs. I couldn't run for office or do work for the NAACP without my employers' support and flexibility. It's a great place to work. They encourage employees to contribute to the community and support us when we do.
TB: What school district do you live in? Are you running for a district seat?
TR: I live in Park Jefferson Apartments in the Adams school district, District 1, the River Park area. I have lived in District 1 for 10 years, and in the River Park area for 2 years now. I am running against Sheila Bergeron, the incumbent trustee for District 1.
TB: What motivates you to run for the school board?
TR: I have worked with the NAACP on the issue of school redistricting for two years. I learned a lot about the SBCSC system.
The community as a whole doesn't feel they are a part of the decision making process. And it's true. The public doesn't have input until after all the major decisions have been made.
I want people in the Adams district to be a part of the process. I will attend PTA meetings and Northeast Neighborhood Association meetings to talk to constituents about issues before the Board. I will ask for their feedback. I want to know their needs.
I believe, if one school board member encourages the public to join in the decision making process, there will be a domino effect. Other school board trustees will start meeting with their constituents and sharing plans. This is how the Board will regain the trust it has lost and restore the integrity of the system.
TB: If the public is encouraged to participate, aren't you afraid that competing interests in different school districts will make the situation worse?
TR: I don't think it could be worse. The perception in the community is that the SBCSC administration and School Board are making decisions without involving the community until it's too late to make a difference. Tensions between the community and the school board are high. It's been this way for a long time.
People see the board taking the easy way out of difficult situations and choosing the politically expedient solution rather than stand for what is good for the whole system. Trustees should be mindful of what is good for their district and what is good for the whole school system. There is a balance.
TB: Your name is well known and associated with the NAACP. Is that good or bad for you?
TR: I think it is good. Some may assume I will represent the NAACP rather than my constituents. My role as a school board member is not the same as my role in the NAACP. The two are separate. I am running for office to represent the needs of residents of District 1 and all the children.
TB: What is the school board like?
TR: I think the school board avoids conflict and adversity. I have observed a lack of people skills. School board members often appear complacent and unwilling to make an extra effort. A minority of board members do good work but are overshadowed by the rest.
In many critical decisions the Board of Trustees is split in two blocks: the vote is often 5 to 2. The minority block votes are cast by Joan Blacketor and Dawn Jones. If I am elected, I think the balance of power will shift. My values and goals fit best with the minority voting block. By increasing the minority block to 3 votes swing votes will come into play.
I estimate two trustees in the current majority block are open to fresh ideas if presented the right way. I can be very persuasive, and I have the strength to assert my views. I also have the interpersonal skills needed to make the swing vote happen. I will make the extra effort.
TB: What are your goals as a school board trustee?
TR: Overall I want to improve student retention and graduation rates by focusing on the needs of students.
Specifically I want to help move special ed students into mainstream classroom settings. I want to increase minorities in honors programs, increase parental involvement and renew trust in the Board of Trustees. I want to meet often with parents and constituents to understand their concerns and needs, to be a firm and fair voice for them. I want to help set standards for all school districts and enforce them. I want to retain honesty and integrity on the school board.
TB: If folks want to help with your campaign, what should they do?
TR: Vote! Nothing is more important in an election than voting.
We need yard signs in the 1st District. And we need people to help pass out literature and talk to residents. My volunteers and I walk the district every Thursday afternoon at 5:30 PM.
Call my campaign manager, Arlene Hill, at 287-4073, to donate time, money or both.
Tom Brown is a member of the SJVGreens. He works on outreach and grassroots democracy.St. Joe Valley Greens, South Bend, IN