Position/philosophy statement
I’m Xavier Cason, and I’m running for the Durham County Board of Education to continue my long-standing commitment to Durham Public Schools. For over three decades, I’ve served DPS as an educator, former Board member, and community leader guided by l
Current Occupation
Senior Manager, Durham Public Schools Foundation
Age (optional)
63
Campaign Phone
919-323-1691
I bring experience across the full education system—from teaching in Durham schools, to serving on the Board of Education, to leading nonprofit and civic work alongside schools and families. I understand how Board decisions shape real outcomes for students, educators, and communities. Since 2020, my work has focused on implementation, student wellness, and cross-sector collaboration, strengthening my ability to govern with clarity and follow-through. I am prepared to help the Board focus on stable staffing, safe learning environments, and effective use of public resources so Durham students can succeed.
The most important responsibilities of a school board member are to set clear goals for the district, provide disciplined oversight, and hold the superintendent accountable for results. Board members must ensure public funds are used responsibly, policies are implemented fairly, and student outcomes remain the central focus. Just as important is listening to students, families, educators, and community partners, and communicating decisions transparently so the public understands both priorities and tradeoffs. Effective board service requires sound judgment, collaboration, and a commitment to follow-through.
The district’s most critical needs are stable staffing, safe and supportive learning environments, and consistent academic support for students. I would prioritize funding that directly affects classrooms—competitive pay and working conditions to retain educators, mental health and behavioral supports to reduce disruptions, and targeted investments in early literacy and math. Given limited state funding, the Board must be disciplined in aligning local resources with these priorities, reducing inefficiencies, and being transparent about tradeoffs. Every funding decision should be tied to clear goals and measurable improvements in student learning and well-being.
Recruiting and retaining teachers requires improving both compensation and working conditions. While state funding limits what districts can offer, the Board can advocate for competitive pay, use local resources strategically, and prioritize benefits that support long-term retention. Equally important are manageable workloads, consistent discipline policies, strong school leadership, and access to mental health and instructional supports. Teachers are more likely to stay when they feel supported, respected, and able to focus on teaching rather than constant disruption or uncertainty.
I strongly support high-quality Pre-Kindergarten programs as one of the most effective investments a school district can make. I served for five years on the Durham PreK Advisory Board and advocated for early education during my previous term on the DPS Board of Education because the evidence is clear: students who enter kindergarten ready to learn are more likely to succeed academically and socially. Strong Pre-K programs help close opportunity gaps early, support families, and reduce the need for more costly interventions later. Continued collaboration between DPS, Durham County, and community partners is essential to expanding access and ensuring quality.
I am running for the Board of Education because I believe Durham Public Schools need steady, disciplined leadership focused on trust, transparency, and follow-through. My experience spans the classroom, the Board of Education, and community-based and civic leadership working alongside schools and families. That full arc has given me a clear understanding of how decisions are made, how they are implemented, and how they are experienced by students, educators, and the public. At a time when DPS faces enrollment shifts, funding uncertainty, and growing community concern, I believe the Board must govern with clarity, listen carefully to those most impacted, and align resources with outcomes. I would be honored to serve with integrity, sound judgment, and a deep commitment to Durham’s students and families.
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Position/philosophy statement
Durham School Board, District 4 Kristy Moore, a mother and a lifelong advocate for public education with more than 20 years of experience as a teacher, mentor, organizer, and statewide education leader. She currently serves as the Program Manager of
Current Occupation
Program Manager for Non-Profit
Campaign Phone
9103900408
I am a DPS parent, former DPS educator and mentor, former President of the Durham Association of Educators, Vice President of the North Carolina Association of Educators, and I have served on the National Education Association board. I currently work with legislators across the country on education policy. I have the experience needed to engage all stakeholders as we work on transparency, be fiscally responsible, ensure our students feel part of their school culture, and engage our parents as partners in their children's education. I know how we have to engage our community and work with everyone to build trust and move DPS forward.
The most important responsibilities of a school board are to govern the school system. It is critical that school board members are in the community, gathering input from stakeholders, and stay informed about what is happening in all our schools. It is also the school board's responsibility to serve as a check on what is happening within the school system. The finance team will create a budget, but it is up to the school board to ask the hard questions about how the money is spent, where waste occurs, and how effectively we use it for our students. We are the bridge between the community and the school system administration.
We need to ensure our students have access to mental health services and that families receive wraparound services, all while working to ensure our schools are safe. We need to ensure our educators have the resources they need to succeed in their roles. We need to engage our stakeholders as we make budget decisions that will affect our community as a whole. I will prioritize our students in all budgetary decisions, using data and community input to inform them. It is important that DPS build trust within our community, and that will begin with intentional, thoughtful interactions with all stakeholders, which, as a board member, I will work for.
We need to ensure we offer competitive salaries to recruit and retain teachers. That means we will have to lobby state legislators to pass a budget that includes raises for school staff and uses the Education Lottery as intended. We also need to ensure that working conditions are good at each school so that teachers feel respected and supported at the school level. We need to work with the Teacher Cadet program to expand the pipeline of students who become teachers, with the goal of encouraging them to return to work within DPS. We have to ensure we market this district and make it a great place to work and grow.
As a former DPS Pre-Kindergarten teacher, I see the importance of the program. I saw firsthand how Pre-Kindergarten sets students up for success in school. The program was created to ensure that children identified as having learning delays could participate in an enriched learning environment that helps prepare them for school. It is a great way for children to be prepared not only educationally but also socially for the school environment. It is also a great way to get parents involved in the school environment, as they come to the school for programs and parent-teacher conferences. It also works with parents on reading to their children and learning how to engage with the school.
As someone who was raised by my grandparents until I was nine, lived at a children's home until I was adopted out, I know just how important public education is for all children. Public education was the one part of my life that didn't change as everything else around me changed a lot. These life experiences drive my passion for working for great public schools and engaging all of our stakeholders. I am the only candidate who not only has classroom experience but also a vast understanding of how education works at the state and national levels and how all the systems work together to impact Durham schools. I am not worried about political allies, but about our students thriving.
