Running for: I-SS school board
Hometown: Statesville
Occupation: Director of Patient Financial Services, Iredell Memorial Hospital
Education:
Statesville High School, 1983
A.A.S. Business Administration from Mitchell Community College, 1992
B.S. Technical/Healthcare Management, Devry University, 2008
What are the biggest issues facing your constituency?
I believe the growth in the county, funding for new facilities and programs, and closing the achievement gap are the biggest issues facing our school system.
Of those issues, which do you feel is the most important?
In my opinion, growth in the county is the most important issue facing our school district. The fact that Iredell County is growing at a very rapid rate has placed the entire county in a critical situation. As the county continues to grow, the need for more schools, qualified principals and teachers and other employees in the system will also increase.
This means funds will have to be available because funding is key to the major issues we have in this system.
What, if any, prior experience do you have that will help you if elected?
I have served on the Iredell-Statesville Board of Education for the past eight years. During my time in office, I’ve had the privilege of participating in a transformation that has seen our system upgrade and build new facilities throughout the county, increase the teacher supplement, and seen our school system be recognized on the state and national level for strategic planning.
What is one particular thing you think the current board is doing right?
Our current board is doing a wonderful job of collaborating with county, city and community officials to resolve major issues that affect our school.
What is one particular thing you think the current board is doing wrong?
Our current board has not done an effective job communicating to the public the progress that has been made in our school system. For example, I don’t believe the community is aware that over the past several years, our school system has had zero audit finding and that on an average, the school system retains 90 percent of our teachers each year.
What specifically would you do if elected in response to the county’s growth?
I would continue to use the Facilities Task Force to monitor and submit suggestions to the Board of Education; while maintaining open dialog with the county commissioners to ensure that funding is available for the needs of all our students.
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