I believe effective school board leadership requires listening, asking the right questions, examining the facts, and making decisions based on what is best for students. My approach is grounded in common sense, accountability, transparency, and responsible use of taxpayer dollars. I value input from parents, teachers, staff, and the community. I am willing to ask difficult questions, consider different perspectives, and work collaboratively to find practical solutions that improve our schools and prepare students for the future.
A school board member's primary responsibility is to ensure that every student has the opportunity to receive a quality education. This includes setting clear policies, establishing priorities, approving responsible budgets, monitoring student achievement, supporting teachers and staff, and ensuring safe learning environments. Board members must hold the district accountable for results while respecting the roles of the superintendent and school staff. Equally important are transparency, listening to community concerns, and making decisions in the best interests of students rather than personal or political interests.
Scotland County Schools must prioritize improving student proficiency and academic growth, recruiting and retaining qualified teachers and staff, maintaining safe schools, and providing students with the resources they need to succeed. I would begin by reviewing student performance data, staffing needs, safety concerns, and existing expenditures to identify where resources will have the greatest impact. I would prioritize essential classroom needs and proven programs, evaluate the effectiveness of current spending, and seek efficiencies before requesting additional funding. Every budget decision should be transparent, measurable, and focused on improving outcomes for students.
Recruiting and retaining qualified teachers starts with creating a supportive work environment where teachers feel valued and can focus on teaching. I would review teacher turnover data, listen to teachers about the challenges they face, and identify ways to reduce unnecessary administrative burdens. I would prioritize competitive compensation within available funding, strong school leadership, adequate classroom resources, meaningful professional development, and effective support for student behavior. We must understand why teachers leave and address those issues to make Scotland County Schools a district where good teachers want to work and build long-term careers.
I support quality pre-kindergarten programs because early learning can help children develop the language, social, and academic skills needed for kindergarten. Early intervention can help identify learning needs before children fall behind. I believe Scotland County Schools should work with families, community organizations, and existing early childhood providers to expand access where needs exist. Funding decisions should consider the number of children served, program quality, measurable outcomes, and available resources. Our goal should be to give children a strong start while ensuring that investments in early education provide meaningful benefits for students and families.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Position/philosophy statement
Every student deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and feel supported in a safe and productive school environment.
My experience has taught me that effective leadership begins with listening, preparation, service, and accountability. I bring experience serving in community and county-level roles that require collaboration, responsible decision-making, and a commitment to the people of Scotland County. I am currently serving on several boards and committees, including the Planning and Zoning Board, Zoning Board of Adjustments, Transportation Advisory Board, SDD Foundation Board. I am also a past educator and coach within the school system. Those experiences have strengthened my ability to examine issues, ask thoughtful questions, work with people who may have different perspectives, and understand the responsibility that comes with public service.
I believe the most important responsibility of a school board member is to keep students at the center of every decision while providing responsible leadership and oversight of the school system. Ultimately, I believe a school board member should be a responsible steward of the public trust, someone who listens carefully, prepares thoroughly, asks meaningful questions, and consistently keeps students and the future of the community in focus.
I believe the critical needs of Scotland County Schools should be prioritized around student achievement, educator support, school safety, and responsible financial stewardship. Those priorities are consistent with my philosophy that students must remain at the center of every decision, while educators and the community are treated as important partners. Most importantly, I would not approach the budget by simply asking, How much money do we have? I would ask, "What is producing results for students, what needs improvement, and where will an additional dollar have the greatest measurable impact? My goal would be to protect the essentials, invest where the evidence shows a need, and make every available dollar work for the students success.
I believe recruiting and retaining qualified teachers begins with creating a school system where educators feel respected, supported, valued, and equipped to succeed. Teachers are one of the most important investments we can make in our students and our community. First, I would support a stronger focus on teacher recruitment and the local talent pipeline. Second, we must address retention, not simply recruitment. Third, I would encourage the district to strengthen mentoring and support for new teachers. My goal would be to help create a culture where qualified teachers want to come to Scotland County, stay in Scotland County, and build their careers here.
I believe quality Pre-Kindergarten education is an important part of preparing children for success in kindergarten and beyond. Early childhood is a critical period of development, and providing children with a strong educational foundation can help them enter kindergarten ready to learn, build relationships, and participate successfully in the classroom. My position is simple: early investment matters. If we can help a child develop the academic, social, and emotional foundation they need before entering kindergarten, we give that child a stronger starting point for the rest of their educational journey.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Position/philosophy statement
North Carolina
Current Occupation
Retired
Campaign Phone
910-384-3168
I am a retired veteran and currently serving on the Scotland County School Board. For more than twenty years, I have been actively involved in youth leadership and advocacy throughout our community. My passion is student retention and ensuring that our children stay engaged. By ensuring that every child stays engaged and supported this keeps them on track to graduate. Ultimately, I strive to help our students gain access to scholarships and post-secondary opportunities.
The most important responsibilities of a school board member are to first understand the mission and to ensure that every decision we make advances the success and well-being of students. In order to implement and carry out our duties, we must ask: How does this benefit our students? For it is our mission to serve and improve the life of all students by preparing them for the future in order to build and sustain a strong community.
Our district faces two urgent challenges: reduced local funding and a sharp rise in student mental health needs. Many of our children are experiencing anxiety and depression that directly affect attendance, behavior, and academic performance. Within available state and local funding, I would prioritize protecting strong classroom instruction, retaining quality teachers, and maintaining manageable class sizes. At the same time, we must strengthen school-based mental health support through counselors, community partnerships, and grant opportunities. Every dollar must be strategically aligned to put students first — academically and emotionally.
I would focus on both compensation and working conditions to recruit and retain qualified teachers. While state salaries are outside local control, we can advocate for competitive local supplements, retention incentives, and partnerships that support housing or classroom needs. We presently offer a Beginners Teachers Program however I would better support also growing our own pipeline by investing in teacher cadet programs and partnerships with local University North Carolina Pembroke, Fayetteville State University and other colleges. Most importantly, I would look closer at attending some of the College Job Fairs in our state as well as bordering states.
My position on Pre-Kindergarten is simple: the earlier, the better. Our children experience tremendous growth & learning between the ages of birth and five. Those early years lay the foundation for language development, literacy, social skills, & emotional readiness.
Strong programs such as those at Sycamore Lane Primary/Elementary, Wagram Elementary, Laurel Hill Elementary, & South Johnson Elementary are among the most important investments we make as a district. Early childhood education builds the foundation for long-term academic success. Students who attend quality Pre-K programs are better prepared to read by third grade, less likely to require remediation, and more likely to graduate. Pre-K is not an extra; it is of great importance!
I also want to commend the many Pre-K programs across Scotland County for the exceptional work they are doing to support our students in their earliest years. Their dedication to nurturing young learners and building strong academic and social foundations truly makes a lasting difference in our community.
Position/philosophy statement
Scotland County GOP Vice Chairman/ I believe all kids deserve a great education that educates them, and not indoctrinates. Together we can start Rebuilding Substance in Education!
Current Occupation
Management, Advantage Solutions
Age (optional)
28
Campaign Phone
910-706-1681
I have experience in instruction as a tutor of American History for students and as a youth coach, where I taught discipline, honor, and respect through Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. I've seen what it takes to properly instruct kids while instilling respect along the way. I have been in management for near a decade, and have worked in managing funds over companies, and I feel I have the experience to fix these budgeting issues and audit expenditures to make sure everything is going to the proper places and to help raise our teacher pay.
There are five main things to do if elected, first to set a curriculum plan for public schools and decide what they're learning, second is to set academic standards, third is to create and appropriate a budget & oversee how it's spent, fourth is to determine the staffing and graduation requirements, and fifth is to oversee the Superintendent and the job they do. All of these responsibilities are vital to be done correctly to raise the next generation into our workforce and be certain that they are prepared for it. If I'm blessed enough to be elected by this county, I will do my upmost to make sure these things are completed.
Scotland County schools has issues with many things. One is there isn't enough opportunities for lower income students through vocational education training. Many students won't go through college to get a degree because of funding and they don't want to rack up debt. The school board controls how important this is. Through curriculum development and appropriations, we can make changes to fund these programs and give them a chance. Parents also need a voice, which is why I would appoint a volunteer board of parents to serve alongside the school board, to make sure we have that direct line to the needs of today's students and make sure that parents have a voice in their kids education. Discipline, accountability, and transparency are a must!
Well, we have to give an incentive for teachers to want to stay. By budgeting better and doing an audit, we can not only stop the free fall, but make certain that every penny is benefiting the students and the teachers and staff. We pay the administration very well, but not our teachers. Also, we have an issue with licensed teachers, with only 76% in the county are licensed, below the state average in NC. We must assist them in getting licensed, and make sure it's an enjoyable system to work with. Safety and discipline always come up. So many are leaving for private schools, though they make less with less benefits. Safety is a priority, and through discipline reform, we can't stop the assault on our great teachers.
Well, as a student myself who was raised by a teacher and went through Pre-k, I believe that these programs are vital to the early development stages of a child's mind and behavior patterns. Getting them in these classes early will assist them in better decision making skills and has been proven to show that they have better retention of information at a younger age, and pre kindergarten has shown that these students learn more and show better behavioral patterns when they attend pre kindergarten. I think it's important and I do support pre kindergarten being in our public schools.
I hope I can receive your vote on March 3rd and onto November as well. We have the blueprint for a successful school system, we just have to make the necessary changes to benefit it. By bringing back Vocational and Trade school, by allowing parents to give their thoughts on our decision making first hand, by better budgeting and marketing to allow more in depth programs and assistance, by putting curriculum reform and policy changes upfront through discipline reform to protect the most vulnerable and our teachers in the classrooms, by putting more effort into the EC classes and special needs, and much more, we can truly make Scotland County a greater place to learn. There's so much potential here, more than just bands or football, and we have to tap into it. We can truly reach our goals if we try. I believe my life experiences in management, instructing our youth, and my ideals, makes me the perfect candidate to get it done. Together we can start "Rebuilding Substance in Education."
