What Did Sandy Say? Alamance Chamber Forum

As a candidate, I have thoroughly enjoyed hearing from so many of you across our district with relevant questions, thoughtful conversation and powerful feedback about all things ABSS! I have realized many of the questions/questionnaires – and my responses – provide great insight for our citizens as they decide which candidates can most effectively lead our school district.  I trust the information is helpful and welcome the opportunity for more conversation about our schools! 

10/01/2020: Alamance Chamber of Commerce Candidate Forum

Read the Times-News.com article about the forum here.
Watch the forum via YouTube on the Alamance Chamber page here.

What are your primary reasons for seeking a seat on the school board? A seat on the school board is important to me because I want to be a voice that speaks up, speaks for and speaks out for the children in our county.  I believe that an effective school board leader needs to build a collaborative partnership based on accountability and transparency with our parents, our educators and our citizens.  There is no one that knows what is best for a child, a child’s well-being, a child’s education and a child’s success than that child’s parent. When we are looking at classroom opportunities and classroom challenges, there is no better voice than that of our educators.  There is no one better to tell what a community wants in our schools than the community.  Our citizens play an important role in that partnership as well. I believe a seat on the school board allows me to create a collaborative partnership with all of our stakeholders so we all have a voice and a seat at the table for our children and what’s best in education.

What are the most important issues facing the school system over the next two years? The most important is what our school system will look like as we transition back into the classrooms. COVID-19 has created unprecedented challenges for all of us. I commend ABSS, our leadership, our students and our educators for their commitment as we continue to move forward to figure out remote learning. I think this has created an opportunity for our school system to work together to figure our what things look like moving forward.  It is important to have the voice of the parents and the educators.  Safety is of utmost importance regardless of which plan we choose. Then, what that plan looks like going forward from a funding standpoint. Funding is always a challenge for the school system. I think all of our candidates would agree funding is always a challenge fro ABSS.  I look at funding as investment.  We need to make sure that our county leaders and our state leaders understand the funding is an investment in our county, in our children, and in our future leadership.  We have to make sure that funding becomes a priority as we move forward.  Safe and healthy schools and creating safe and healthy learning environments for our kids to succeed as we reopen our classrooms. The bond referendum is a huge stepping stone in making that happen.  Also mental health.  One positive thing that has come out of COVID-19 is the ability to staff every school with a nurse. I think that is a huge accomplishment for ABSS.

What steps should the school system take to improve racial equity in our schools?  I think we need to evaluate our student population and student diversity. We need to do a better job at recruiting and retaining educators that mirror our student diversity.  The majority of our educators are Caucasian educators. It would be fabulous to have educators and leaders to represent all races. To take that a step further, we also have to look at the student population at those schools and those zones. We have to create school climates and school environments where when we hire those educators they will want to teach in those schools and those facilities.  We can then match our educators and work to address racial equity.

Can you share more about yourself in 1 minute?  As a PARENT, I have been actively engaged in ABSS since 1998, or 22 years of working with educators across our elementary, middle and high schools on both personal and professional levels.  I have seen firsthand both the opportunity and the challenge of teacher recruitment and retention, aging facilities, inequities across the district, school safety, struggling academic performance, the challenge of redistricting and the transition of six superintendents.  

I believe a strong school system can drive tax revenues, property values, quality of life and community satisfaction. Strong schools create opportunity and build wealth for our community.  I believe we all deserve a voice of what our public schools look like. I ask for your VOTE on November 3rd.  I am not a politician but I am a passionate parent and a lifelong citizen that loves Alamance County. I ask you to take this ride with me for the next four years.

Learn more about me and my campaign at ElectSandy.com.   

 

Posted on 01 Oct 2020, 01:09 - Category: Q & A Insights