Issues & Platform
A Plan for Every Student in District 3
Meika Gordon Gardner brings 25+ years in Mobile County Public Schools to the board — with a clear, grounded agenda built around what students, families, and teachers actually need.
Sports & Athletics
Restore and Expand Athletic Programs
Sports are not a luxury — they are a proven pathway to student achievement, discipline, and life opportunity. As a longtime volleyball coach and middle school athletic director, Meika has seen firsthand what happens when athletic programs are funded and what is lost when they are cut.
Restore funding for athletic programs that have been reduced or eliminated in District 3 schools
Expand access to sports across all grade levels, including underserved middle schools
Use athletics as a structured pathway to college scholarships and career readiness
Support coaches with proper resources, training, and competitive compensation
Build partnerships with community organizations to fund equipment and facility upgrades
Safe Schools
Safe Schools & Campus Security
Every student deserves to walk into school feeling safe. Meika believes that campus security must be comprehensive — addressing physical safety, threat prevention, and the school climate that shapes how students experience every day.
Advocate for updated security infrastructure and trained campus safety personnel
Support clear, consistent discipline policies that are fair and equitably enforced
Promote restorative practices that reduce suspensions while maintaining safe learning environments
Strengthen communication between schools, families, and law enforcement
Ensure every campus has an active, practiced emergency response plan
Student Wellness
Student Mental Health & Wellness
Students cannot learn when they are struggling emotionally. The mental health crisis in our schools is real, and it demands a board-level commitment to counseling resources, trauma-informed practices, and a culture where asking for help is a sign of strength.
Increase the number of licensed school counselors in District 3 to meet recommended student-to-counselor ratios
Implement trauma-informed teaching practices across all campuses
Expand social-emotional learning (SEL) programs starting in elementary school
Create clear referral pathways connecting students and families to community mental health services
Reduce stigma around mental health by normalizing wellness conversations in schools
Special Education
Special Education & IEP Support
As a transition teacher and IEP specialist with over two decades of experience, Meika knows that students with disabilities deserve more than compliance — they deserve champions. She will fight to ensure every IEP is honored, every student is seen, and no family has to fight alone.
Ensure IEPs are fully implemented and regularly reviewed with meaningful family participation
Increase support and professional development for special education teachers and paraprofessionals
Strengthen transition planning so students with disabilities are prepared for life after high school
Advocate for adequate funding and staffing levels in special education programs
Create a transparent process for families to raise concerns and receive timely responses
Community Partnership
Parent & Community Involvement
Schools thrive when families and communities are genuine partners — not afterthoughts. Meika is committed to a board that listens, communicates clearly, and builds real relationships with the people District 3 schools serve.
Hold regular community listening sessions in District 3 neighborhoods
Improve transparency in board decisions with accessible, plain-language communication
Partner with local businesses, churches, and nonprofits to expand student opportunities
Support parent engagement programs that meet families where they are
Ensure District 3 voices are heard and represented at every board meeting
Take Action
Stand With Meika for District 3
These aren't just talking points — they're the issues Meika has worked on every day for 25 years. Help bring this vision to the board.