Position/philosophy statement
Randolph County Board of Education
Current Occupation
Financial Advisor
Age (optional)
57
Campaign Phone
3369633870
I have served on the school board for 12 years. One of my primary objectives on our board is to support our teachers and staff.
The primary responsibilities of a school board member are to set board policy and to hire (and fire) the superintendent. Our current superintendent is eligible for retirement. Although there has not been an indication he is seeking to retire, the possibility is very real. I have the experience to know what qualities we are and are not looking for in a superintendent. This is a very important election because the next board could very well hire our next school superintendent.
The critical needs are local and state funding. I have met with our county commissioners and state representatives to discuss and advocate for increased funding. I have also had to make the difficult decision to cut our budget in some areas. The harsh reality is that expenses have gone up and funding has gone down. It is important to lobby for increased funding, while at the same time, make sure we are good stewards of taxpayer dollars. We do not want to be like other systems in the state who have budget issues because of overspending.
A recruitment focus of outs needs to be practice of maintaining contact with former students of our system while they are in college to encourage them to return to their system to teach. We do not need to wait for them to return to us. We need to make sure they know we want them in our system. Former students who enter the education field are our greatest opportunity for recruitment.
The evidence is clear that a strong Pre-K program is vital to the success of the student. It has to be a priority of a school system to have a strong Pre-K program.
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Position/philosophy statement
I want to be a dependable voice for our schools, listen to the needs of our communities, and work together to make decisions that put students first.
Current Occupation
Self Employed Small Business Owner
Campaign Phone
336-382-0677
As a current Randolph County School Board member with four years of service, I understand the responsibilities of this office and the importance of listening to students, families, educators, and our communities. I am a product of public education, a UNCG graduate with an associate degree in Marketing/Management, and a local small business owner. My business experience has strengthened my skills in budgeting, leadership, communication, and problem-solving. I also serve on the Executive Board of Communities in Schools of Randolph County, giving me additional experience working to support students and families.
I believe we need to keep students at the center of every decision while ensuring the school system is responsibly and effectively governed. This includes listening to and supporting teachers, staff, students, and families; setting sound policies and priorities; being good stewards of taxpayer resources; and holding the district accountable for providing safe, effective learning environments. A board member should also listen to the communities they represent, ask thoughtful questions, and work collaboratively with fellow board members to make decisions that serve the entire school system.
Our critical needs are maintaining strong instructional programs, supporting and retaining teachers and staff, addressing school facility needs, and ensuring students have the resources they need to succeed. I would prioritize funding by putting student learning and classroom needs first, protecting essential personnel and programs, and addressing facility and safety needs based on urgency and long-term impact. I also believe we must be responsible stewards of local and state dollars, pursue every available funding opportunity, and continue working with our county commissioners and state leaders to secure the resources our students and schools need.
Recruiting and retaining great teachers starts with making our schools places where educators want to work and build a career. I would support competitive compensation and benefits, strong mentoring for new teachers, meaningful professional development, and opportunities for experienced educators to grow and lead. We also need to listen to teachers about the challenges they face and work to reduce unnecessary administrative burdens so they can focus on teaching. Most importantly, teachers need to know they are valued, respected, supported, and have a voice in decisions that affect their classrooms.
I believe access to a quality pre-kindergarten program is an important investment in our children and our schools. Early learning can help children develop the academic, social, and emotional skills they need to enter kindergarten ready to learn. It can also help identify areas where a child may need additional support before challenges become greater. I believe we should continue to support quality pre-K opportunities for families who need them, work to expand access when resources allow, and ensure that programs are preparing children for a successful transition into kindergarten and beyond.
Serving on the Randolph County Board of Education has been an honor and a responsibility that I do not take lightly. As a former student, parent, volunteer, and current board member, I have seen our schools from many different perspectives. I remain committed to listening, asking questions, and being a voice for our students, teachers, staff, and communities. I believe our school system is strongest when we work together, communicate openly, use our resources wisely, and keep the focus where it belongs, and that is providing every student with the opportunity to succeed.
