What Did Sandy Say? Alamance News Candidate Questionnaire

Questions for ABSS School Board Candidates
November 5, 2024 General Election

Please answer all questions using simple “yes” or “no” answers as outlined. When elaboration is imperative, you may use up to 15 words, unless a longer response is indicated as permissible. Responses that exceed the limitations will be edited to conform to these specifications.

CURRICULUM/ACADEMICS/STUDENT & SCHOOL PERFORMANCE
1. Rank in order of relative importance the following goals for the school system:

     5        a. increasing student test scores on the SAT and other standardized tests
     2        b. acquiring computers and other technology for use in student instruction
     1        c. bolstering student skills in traditional areas such as reading and writing ability
     4        d. expanding curriculum to include more offerings along the lines of music, dance, and foreign language
     3        e. providing special instruction for gifted students and for students with learning disabilities

2. Is the ABSS academic curriculum generally adequate? Yes

2a. What academic area(s), if any, do you think needs the most improvement within the Alamance-Burlington schools? 
English Language Arts and Math. ABSS reflected growth and focusing on these areas will result in continued improvement to meet or exceed state proficiency levels. 

3. School performance throughout the school system, as measured by state standards, has declined, particularly following the Covid-19 shutdown from March 2020 until March 2021, with nearly half of ABSS schools receiving D or F performance grades from the state's Department of Public Instruction (DPI) and only one getting an A during the 2023-2024 school year. What, in your view, should be done to improve academic performance? Last year, ABSS implemented a new math curriculum, added tutors in elementary schools, consistently reviewed student data, and supported grade level collaboration to improve outcomes. As a result, ABSS had 26 schools meet or exceed growth while two schools were removed from low-performing status. This important work must continue. 

3a. Indeed, almost half (16) were labeled by DPI as "continually low-performing," which was defined as having been “low- performing” for at least two of the past three years, according to DPI. That would appear to be a serious indictment of the status of ABSS education. Are the superintendent and other school officials focused on the right priorities for improving ABSS schools and academic performance by its students? Yes. Dr. Fleming’s commitment to prioritize academic data, instructional resources, literacy programs, and input from educators will support continued improvement and student success. 

4. Do you believe that students of all races, ethnicities, and socioeconomic backgrounds can meet academic performance targets set by the state? Yes

4a. If no, please explain why not. n/a

5. There are various "socially-conscious" curriculums being circulated among school systems nationally and proposed for some North Carolina school systems. These include "The 1619 Project," as well as the “Black Lives Matter Year of Purpose” and what some observers have termed Critical Race Theory. Would you support/oppose the use of these materials and activities, if proposed for ABSS? Oppose

5a. Why or why not? It is important for ABSS educators to teach the K-12 curriculum approved by our state leaders. 

6. Which do you believe should be a higher priority for the school system: new curriculums, such as those noted above, or a focus on the fundamentals of academic achievement? Fundamentals

7. Do you feel it is appropriate or inappropriate to provide sexually-explicit books in ABSS school libraries or to incorporate them into classroom instruction? Inappropriate

7a. Why or why not? ABSS libraries should focus on literature that is appropriate for school-aged children. Sexually-explicit books, if desired, can be accessed at public libraries and bookstores. (24 words)

FUNDING/FACILITIES
8. Do you feel that the annual level of funding that the county provides for ABSS is adequate? Yes and No

8a. Why or why not? The county provides operational funding that aligns closely with what is requested from ABSS. Unfortunately, this does not typically align with current needs. 

8b. If not adequate, are you willing to advocate that the property tax rate be raised in order to provide additional funding? No

9. In your view, what are the greatest funding needs that you believe ABSS has? Facilities and teacher pay.

10. Funding for ABSS accounts for nearly 30 percent of Alamance County’s total annual budget; and county funding is the only area of funding for ABSS over which the school board has any direct say. What percentage of the total annual county budget should be allocated to ABSS, in your view? ??%

10a. Why? Local dollars fund additional positions for teaching, leadership and safety in our schools. These needs change year after year and are unlikely to be static. 

11. Yet while spending for ABSS has increased, enrollment in ABSS schools has declined by about 635 students, or almost 3 percent, over the past five years (from 22,851 in 2019-20 to 22,216 students in 2023-24), even though the county’s population has increased. Why should county spending continue to increase when the number of students served is declining? Many of our expenses are not driven by actual student count such as the rising costs in maintenance, repairs and utility costs.

12. Many residents question the growing expenditures for ABSS when there appears to be little to no correlation between more spending with improved academic performance [i.e., DPI's evaluation of ABSS schools (see questions 3 and 3A)]. Should there be a correlation between funding and performance, and what kinds of incentives can or should be built in to tie county funding with improvements in academic achievement? Growing expenditures in both operations and capital funding are necessary to maintain safe and healthy schools which directly impact student learning. We must also work to increase our local supplement to be more competitive in teacher recruitment and retention. Until we close funding gaps, conversations about incentives would be premature. 

13. Alamance County voters approved a $150 million bond package for ABSS in November 2018; half of the eight projects it financed will fund are for renovations and construction to increase capacity at the high school level. Do you anticipate the need for another bond referendum for repairs and expansions at other grade levels during your term? Yes.

13a. If you answered yes, please identify where you see the greatest needs and why. At present, six elementary schools, three middle schools, and four high schools are nearing capacity. An assessment of current school capacity, attendance zones, and projected growth is warranted. Following last year’s mold crisis, time is of the essence with funding last year’s $26M+ mold crisis. 

SCHOOL SAFETY
14. The issue of school safety has many dimensions. What, if any, ideas do you have to improve school safety for ABSS?
Maintain SROs at every school, expedite HVAC & roofing projects for healthy learning environments, alignment of mental health support for students, student disciplinary accountability. 

14a. Specifically, would you support or oppose allowing teachers to be armed? Oppose (concerns about safety & training)

14b. Some areas have discussed the idea of allowing armed volunteers (with proper gun-safety training) to patrol on local school campuses. Would you support or oppose that concept? Oppose

14c. In the past, some public speakers at school board meetings and others have called on school board members to defund the School Resource Officers (SROs) who work in ABSS schools – similar to calls to defund the police – and to redirect funding for SROs to other priorities. Should ABSS reduce, eliminate, maintain, or increase the number of schools with SROs? Maintain

14d. Why? The collaboration in 2022 with ABSS and Commissioners to increase annual funding for a SRO in every school prioritized an important layer of school safety. 

14e. If you support a reduction in the number of SROs, or their elimination altogether, how would you suggest the school system ensure a safe climate on school campuses? n/a

POLICY
15. In general do you support or oppose the concept of allowing additional public charter schools to be developed and started in Alamance County? Support

15a. Why or why not? I choose to advocate for public education yet recognize charter schools are important for 1,300+ students in our county.

16. Do you support or oppose the concept of "opportunity scholarships," a form of "vouchers," that have been funded by the General Assembly in order to provide "school choice" for North Carolina families. Oppose

16a. Why or why not? I support school choice and opportunity scholarships for low-income families. I oppose potentially redirecting funding from public schools totaling $463M for other income levels. 

17. The UNC Board of Governors has eliminated offices of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) within UNC's public universities. What is your view on whether similar DEI programs, officials, or philosophy are appropriate for ABSS? 
While a diverse workforce is valuable when serving a diverse student body, ABSS hiring practices and retention efforts should always reflect general inclusion and engagement seeking the most talented educators regardless of race, gender, or bias. This focus encourages equal opportunity and non-discrimination across the district in all aspects. 

18. There has been some discussion and debate about whether providing greater "socioeconomic" balance at various schools is an appropriate purpose for redistricting or school assignment. In your judgment, is achieving socioeconomic balance an appropriate purpose for redistricting or school assignment? No.

18a. Why or why not? Redistricting is one of the most challenging tasks for the school board creating both anxiety and frustration for the student and family. ABSS must position every school in every community to be a desired choice in education with equal access to programs, tools, and resources regardless of socioeconomic balance. 

18b. In practice, is "socioeconomic" balance a substitute for trying to achieve racially-based assignments and/or "racial balance" at certain schools? No

19. How significant is the issue of maintaining classroom discipline – both as a potential factor in retaining teachers and in establishing an academic climate where students can learn? Very significant. Almost 37% of ABSS teachers reported that the majority of students do not follow the student code of conduct.

20. Graham’s city council has asked the school board to consider selling the undeveloped portion of land next to the Ray Street Academy in Graham that is owned by the school system. Would you support or oppose such a sale? Depends; happy to explore an opportunity if mutually beneficial to ABSS & City of Graham 

21. Should the school system encourage, discourage, or remain neutral in terms of residential growth in various jurisdictions where students would feed into ABSS attendance zones? Remain neutral

SCHOOL BOARD
22. Names the issue(s) on which you've most disagreed with the school board majority in the past few years, and briefly outline your reasons why. Covid-19 is likely the most debated issue during my time on the school board. Opening schools, masking and quarantine protocols brought much discussion, differing opinions, and split votes. Most challenging was the documentation from respected medical professionals and organizations to support BOTH sides of the debate! (46 words)

23. Would you support or oppose state legislation to grant local school boards the authority to levy property taxes, independent from the board of commissioners? Oppose

24. The current salary, or stipend, for school board members is $300 per month. Is this adequate for school board service?
Yes. (Note: I declined my stipend in 2020 when I joined the BOE.)

24a. Would you vote to raise school board pay during your term on the school board? No

24b. If yes, to what level? n/a

25. Have you been endorsed by the Democratic or Republican Party in this election? No

25a. If so, which party? n/a

25b. About one-third of school boards in North Carolina are elected on a partisan basis. Alamance-Burlington school board seats are still on at least an ostensibly non-partisan basis. Would you support or oppose legislation to convert the ABSS board to a partisan board? Oppose

25c. Why or why not? School board leadership is most effective when decisions are focused on the best interest of students, educators and community rather than political motivation or influence. 

GENERAL
26. What can be done to improve the rapport between the school board and the county's commissioners? A shared commitment to work together with mutual respect and collaboration – at all times. Quarterly joint meetings instead of annual or at time of crisis. 

27. In your view, what are the three main issues facing the school system during the next 5 years? Facilities (maintenance AND capacity issues), educator workforce, funding

28. Why are you running for school board? I believe strong schools build strong communities that will benefit families, businesses and the community. Public education matters and the work is important.

28a. What do you think qualifies you to serve on the school board? As a mother of three, a business owner, and a lifelong citizen, I bring a unique blend of perspective, experience, and knowledge to the Board. (25 words)

29. Do you have a child/children enrolled in ABSS? No, I have three nieces, a nephew, and two family members who teach in ABSS.

30. If there are one or more important education issue(s) about which you haven't been asked on this questionnaire, please feel free to identify it/them and explain its/their importance to you. It’s important to recognize the role of public education. Many of the 184,000+ citizens do not support ABSS because they do not have a child enrolled. We must do better at advocating for ABSS to reinforce the value and lasting impact of strong schools.

 

Posted on 06 Oct 2024, 13:51 - Category: Q & A Insights