ISSUES

The most important task a school has is to educate its students. Unfortunately, between 27% and 39% of Wake County students are “not proficient” in Math, Reading, Science, Biology, and English II (based on 2023 results). “Not proficient” means they can’t perform at grade level. In other words, they’re failing. In the case of Math 1 (9 th -grade math), 67% are not proficient!

A school system that’s failing to educate a third—or more—of its students is doing something wrong. Yet when I look at what the current school board is focused on, it’s everything but academics. This has to change, and this is why I’m running.

There are no more textbooks! Everything is online. This is despite the fact that reading comprehension is six to eight times better when reading from a book versus a screen. 

Whiteboards have been covered up with flat-screen TVs, making it difficult for teachers or students to express their ideas.

Since the distractions of digital media are so well documented, is it really a good idea to give every student a laptop?

I am an information technology professional. We need an appropriate use of technology, not an overwhelming addiction to everything online.

A student who is falling behind in a subject can often be caught up with the help of a tutor, who can meet the student one-on-one to fill in the missing concept and return the

student to parity with her classmates.

It is important to protect students, teachers, and staff from threats coming from both inside and outside the school. In the 2022-2023 school year, there were almost 1500 criminal acts in Wake County that were reported to the state. There were over 1100 incidents of bullying and harassment.

There is a code of conduct for students. It needs to be dusted off and enforced, and

strengthened if necessary.

There is an average 11% turnover among teachers. That means that about 1 in 9

teachers in last year’s school won’t be back this year. Why? Teachers themselves have told us some of their concerns about their working conditions. 

• 60% of teachers feel that there’s disorder in hallways, cafeterias, bathrooms, and other common areas.
• Nearly 60% of teachers feel that students don’t respect their teachers.
• Statewide, there were nearly 1500 assaults on teachers last year.

How would you feel working in an environment where you knew you could be assaulted at any moment? 

We need to teach respect for teachers. This is a cultural value that we have lost, and we can see the results. 

We need to assert discipline on student conduct both in class and between classes. We need schools to be safe so that both students and teachers can relax and focus on the business of learning, which is why they’re in schools to begin with.