Position/philosophy statement
Our teachers are undervalued and underpaid. Start vocational training in schools. Be the best school system in the state.
Current Occupation
Retired - Former Hospitality Procurement Executive
Campaign Phone
8287300281
Campaign Youtube URL
It is important that a school board candidate listen, have a vision, and be a champion of a future for our children that will equipped them with the skills demanded in their future as contributing to the fabric our communities with families and successful livelihoods. Having been a part of the manufacturing, hospitality, and service industries and recognizing the trade and social skills sets required in a personal tool kit is achievement need by a school board in an advocacy I can provide.
Oversight of the School Administration is fiduciarily responsible to maximize the effective used of it educational workforce to be thge best in the state. Oversight of the School Administration to optimize the student education experience for positive life and learning experience that keep them enthused, curious, and motivated in a growth environment with the knowledge, cognitive skills, and real earning options to be contributing citizens with families in this community.
Anticipation of county growth and what it will take to be in the top ten a school systems in the state. Advocate daily with those agencies who funds public education that it is good business to do so. Highlight the needs, and the benefit to the state to funds public education programs and facilities.,
Aggressive pay educators to make Henderson County the most at tractive public education schools system. Let teachers teach and remove the oversight rules and minutia dictated by Raleigh.
One of the greatest impacts on a child's life is their time from is Pre-Kindergarten. Yet we treat it as an unaffordable after thought that only 1 in 5 children have access to in North Carolina
Our community should be a safe place for all members of our community. Our school population should be a safe space, but it has dropped because children and their families live in fear.
They are not given grace for believing in America.
I run because teachers and public education have been disrespected by our competition by for too long.
I run because all our young adults need to be better equipped for life with educational achievement at graduation.
I run because we should be most desired public schools in the state. It’s just good business.
I run because the sickness of silence and compliance in the name of greed and bigotry reside at the feet of our local Republican opponents.
I run because I believe the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Rule of Law is seen as an inconvenience to the Seven Deadly Sins practiced every day by the people my opponents pledge their fidelity more than our flag, more than God.
That’s why I stand here to advocate for fully funded public education.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Position/philosophy statement
I'm fighting to put kids over political agendas and keep our public schools strong.
Current Occupation
Director of Community Impact at United Way of Henderson County
Age (optional)
42
Campaign Phone
(828)513-0083
Campaign Youtube URL
As a mother of two elementary school children, I am deeply invested in the future of Henderson County Public Schools. My civic service includes a 3-year term on the City of Hendersonville's Environmental Sustainability Board, membership in the Kiwanis Club of Hendersonville, and a career in nonprofit organizations where I have worked for decades to find common ground with a multitude of stakeholders.
Professionally, I have played a key role in partnering with our school administration to expand a successful afterschool program to a dozen locations in Henderson County.
I hold a masters degree in public policy, and I stand with parents and educators who want to make Henderson County an education leader in NC.
The board is tasked with setting appropriate policies based on state & federal laws with feedback from the community. While most of our district’s finances are dictated by the NC state legislature, there are millions of dollars our board oversees supporting teachers, student nutrition, maintenance, and programs ranging from Leader in Me to JROTC. When submitting budget proposals to the County Commission, the board must advocate for the resources our schools need to thrive. There are also personnel decisions the school board needs to make with the superintendent’s guidance. It is crucial that the board listen closely to parents, teachers, staff, other community members, and each other to find the best paths forward for our students.
Educators deserve to be paid like the professionals they are. Unfortunately, NC is scraping the bottom in per student spending and is one of the worst states for teachers nationally. We especially feel the squeeze being surrounded by school districts in Buncombe and SC that pay higher wages. Our students need qualified educators whose professional focus should be entirely on the classroom – not on working additional jobs or switching professions altogether because inflation and our area’s cost-of-living have made a career in teaching unsustainable. I will continue to urge Raleigh to invest the state’s budget surplus in our schools – NOT in vouchers to wealthy families already sending their children to private schools in urban areas.
Listening to and supporting qualified teachers keeps them in Henderson County public school classrooms. Professionals thrive when given clear directives and the support and trust to see those through. Support can take many forms: offering relevant PD, incorporating feedback, limiting class sizes, raising pay, guaranteeing a daily prep period, or offering wellness benefits and paid time off. Support can also come from in or outside the school system. Our local nonprofits and businesses play a key role in supporting our schools. We can build on those relationships to think outside the box and develop affordable workforce housing for teachers as other NC school districts have done.
I'm pro pre-K! 90% of child brain development occurs before the age of 5. Quality pre-K sets kids up for success in K-12 schooling and beyond. Our neighbors in Polk County have reaped the benefits of universal pre-K for decades. Henderson County students deserve the same. Fortunately, there finally seems to be the political appetite to prioritize pre-K. A handful of elementary schools in our district host Head Start preschool programs for families with income levels that qualify. So, we’ve seen that our schools can play an active role in Kindergarten readiness. I would like to see our district perform a needs assessment with nonprofits and early childhood centers to see where the gaps are. Then, HCPS could work to fill those gaps.
I’m running to make sure kids have the support they need to thrive — from access to healthy breakfasts and lunches to teacher assistants and social workers. I’ve spent my career in the nonprofit sector working across party lines & perspectives to find common ground. I’m ready to do what it takes to bring people of all stripes together to make Henderson County a leader in public education!
To do so, we must:
* Enforce a zero-tolerance policy for bullying.
* Legally set our own school calendars that make sense for our students – either with an exemption or law change in Raleigh.
* Increase weekend learning instead of out-of-school suspensions for non-violent offenses
* Support student mental health with more trained personnel in schools.
* Be proactive in growing our school facilities to match the housing growth.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
