ABCDEFG
1
NameJordyne BlaiseToshiba RiceLynn EdmondsSam HersheyLindsay Mahaffey
2
SeatDistrict 3District 4District 5District 6District 8
3
Currently ServingNoYesYesYesYes
4
Non-Democratic Opponents11111
5
Website/Social Mediahttps://www.jordyneforwake.com/http://toshibarice.orghttps://lynnforwake.com/https://www.samforwake.com/http://electlindsay.com
6
Why have you decided to run or re-run for this position? What is your motivation? How have your background and experiences living in your district or Wake County influenced your decision to run?
My decision to run for the school board stems from a deep commitment to our community and a passion for ensuring that every student has access to a high-quality education. I believe that our schools are the foundation of our future, and I want to play a role in shaping that future by bringing fresh ideas, strong leadership, and a focus on equity and inclusion to our district.

As a public school graduate and former high school teacher, I see the potential in our students, teachers, and schools, and know that with the right support and resources, we can help every child succeed. My experience in policy development and compliance has given me the ability to consider a breadth of perspectives and make decisions based on what is best for the whole community. I bring a balanced and fair approach to problem-solving, ensuring that every decision is made with integrity and the best interests of our students, educators and staff in mind.
I am running for Wake Board of Education District 4 to continue my decades-long advocacy for students, staff, and our community. As a mother, grandmother, and lifelong resident of Wake County, I've witnessed firsthand the challenges our schools face, particularly regarding equity and the well-being of our children. My extensive background in mental health, K-12 education, and leadership roles within Wake County has uniquely positioned me to understand and address these challenges.

My motivation stems from a deep commitment to ensuring every student has access to a high-quality education and the support they need to thrive. I am driven by the disparities I’ve seen, especially in school suspensions affecting African American students, and I’m determined to advocate for policies that prioritize their success. My experiences supporting my family through mental health challenges and my work as a Mental Health First Aid Trainer fuel my passion for creating a nurturing environment where every student can excel. Running for this position is my way of standing up for what is right, ensuring our schools are places of equity, excellence, and opportunity for all.
I'm running because I love this work; challenges and all. Advocating for what students and educators need to be successful is my motivation. I'm also passionate about advocating for public education and the teaching profession.

I'm a NC public school graduate and both our children were K-12 WCPSS students, largely in D5. I have spent the last 15 yrs. advocating for WCPSS and public schools and now am Outreach Director for Public Schools First NC. Public ed is under attack, and we need board members that will stand up to those attacks and work for what is best for students and educators.
I'm running for re-election for multiple reasons.
-I believe in public service and I believe in the importance of public schools for our communities and for our democracy.

-I want to see my son and every student have access to a first-rate education in a school system that is supportive of all kids, families and staff.

-I believe a board member should push back against those that seek to tear down our public schools and demonize our students, families and staff, and I will do that.

-I believe a board member should be responsive to the needs of our students, families and staff, and I will do that.

-I believe a board member should be an advocate and lobby for the resources we need to be successful, and I will do that.

I will be all of those things and I will continue to focus on areas that need improvement not only in District 6, but also around the county.
I have a passion for education. I have learned this system and have worked to push forth a strategic plan that will help our students grow academically with a focus on excellence and equity. My North Star is doing what is best for our students and those that care for our students.

I am a former teacher with a Master's in Teaching Social Science. I have taught French & Spanish, and spent time teaching English in the French public school system. I also have three children in WCPSS: one in elementary, one in middle school, and one in high school.

I have worked at this for the past 8 years; it's hard work, it's good work, and I still enjoy the work. I would be honored to continue serving on the Wake County Board of Education.
7
What need or issue have you identified as a priority for your particular district, and what is ONE major step that must be taken to address this need or issue?
One critical issue I’ve identified in District 3 is the achievement gap among students from different socioeconomic backgrounds. Despite the hard work of our teachers and staff, disparities in academic performance persist, particularly among students from low-income families and marginalized communities. The pandemic and chronic underfunding of our schools has further widened that gap.

To address this, one step we must take is to advocate for appropriate funding for our schools so we can implement and expand targeted support programs that provide personalized academic assistance to students who are struggling. All schools should have access to the resources necessary to support these programs, including funding for additional staff, educational materials, and technology not just in District 3 but throughout Wake County.
A critical issue in District 4 is the significant disparity in school suspensions, particularly among African American students. This disparity not only impacts the students’ academic progress but also their long-term well-being and future opportunities. To address this, one major step is to implement restorative justice practices across all schools in the district. Restorative justice focuses on mediation and agreement rather than punishment, encouraging accountability while keeping students engaged in their education. By providing training for teachers and administrators in these practices and ensuring they have the necessary resources, we can create a more supportive and equitable environment that reduces suspensions and helps all students succeed.
District 5 shares many of the same needs facing our whole school system: safe, reliable bus transportation; well qualified teachers in every classroom; strong, experienced principals in every school; safe, welcoming school spaces. Asked to identify one issue in D5, I would point to aging school buildings- but this too is a reality across WCPSS.

With 200 schools and growing, we will always have facilities in need of major renovation or replacement. I'm thrilled Swift Creek ES is getting a new building soon and that Athens Drive Magnet HS will soon start a major renovation, but there are other D5 schools that need attention too. Since we had a school bond recently, our next major step is to invest in our facilities maintenance and operations staff. This remains a challenge as we can't compete w/ private sector wages. This makes recruiting and retention difficult which exacerbates delays in addressing the many facilities needs we have in D5 and across WCPSS.
We have some major infrastructure/renovation needs in District 6. This includes HVAC systems, trailers needing to be removed, additions to buildings, and more. I believe that the next bond needs to be focused on renovations and lifecycle projects, and I will advocate for a number of District 6 projects.
Staff retention. We have great staff members, experienced staff members, and we need to keep them. We have worked to increase staff pay to be closer to a living wage in Wake County. This year our starting minimum wage will go up to $17.75 / hr. Our bus drivers will be making $20/hr starting. We have pushed to restore Master's pay for our professionals that have advanced degrees.

When we treat our staff like the professionals they are they will want to stay, and new teachers and other employees will want to join our team. If we don't have our WCPSS staff members, we cannot teach children. An excellent staff is necessary for excellent academic outcomes for students.
8
What is your personal philosophy regarding how children should be educated in our public schools, and what level of autonomy should teachers and administrators have in making education and programming decisions?

My personal philosophy regarding how children should be educated in our public schools comes from my own college experiences– the central tenet being cura personalis, a Latin phrase meaning “care of the whole person.” This means going beyond academic achievement to demonstrate concern for students’ mental and physical health, and their development as citizens of the world. Education should not only provide academic knowledge but also foster critical thinking, creativity, emotional intelligence, and social responsibility.

I believe that teachers and administrators should have significant autonomy in making education and programming decisions, within a framework of accountability. Teachers are on the front lines and have been specially trained to understand the unique needs of their students. They should have the freedom to design and implement instructional strategies that best support their students' learning. This includes the ability to choose teaching methods, materials, and assessments that resonate with their students, while also having the flexibility to adapt their approaches as needed. A strong system of accountability includes setting clear goals and standards at the district and state level, while allowing schools the flexibility to meet those goals in ways that make sense for their communities as much as reasonable and productive.
My philosophy is that every child deserves an equitable, high-quality education that nurtures their unique talents and supports their overall well-being. Education should be holistic, addressing not just academic achievement but also social, emotional, and mental health. Children should be encouraged to think critically, explore creatively, and develop the skills necessary to thrive in an ever-changing world.

Teachers and administrators should have significant autonomy in making education and programming decisions, as they are closest to the students and understand their needs best. However, this autonomy must be balanced with accountability to ensure that all students receive the support they need to succeed. Collaboration among educators, parents, and the community is key to creating an educational environment that is responsive, inclusive, and adaptable. By empowering educators while maintaining clear standards and support systems, we can foster a learning environment where every child can excel.
I trust educators! They're professionals who understand pedagogy and age-appropriate content. They're also trained in classroom management and how to educate children. I believe they should be supported and trusted to do their jobs with more autonomy than is allowed now. To provide teachers more autonomy would require some state-level changes re: testing and accountability and the undoing of unnecessary legislation such as SB-49.
I believe in a whole child education which focuses on both on academic success and the overall development. This includes making sure kids feel welcomed at school, providing a safe environment, making sure kids are well fed, and social and emotional learning. These are all priorities in our strategic plan.

As long as teachers are teaching the required curriculum, let teachers have the freedom to meet the students where they are. These are incredible people who have dedicated themselves to this profession, and we should trust them. For administrators, there should always be some level of consulting the office of education or within their schools, but they should feel welcomed to make recommendations when it comes to programming within their schools. Again, these are well educated, dedicated professionals and we need to trust them.
First we have to that we have to ensure we are meeting Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs to ensure the student has a suitable learning environment. Children learn best when they are fed, know they're cared for, and feel safe.

We have to honor student voice in learning. Letting students have a say in their learning helps them buy into their education and maintain lifelong learners. I am excited about our strategic plan that puts a focus on academics through excellence & equity, so that we are meeting all students where they are. We have to respect our teachers as professionals while also providing the district with standards aligned resources so they can best reach the students in their classrooms.
9
In your view, what is a direct impact on Wake County's school system of the state’s failure to honor the Leandro decision? As a school board member, how would you advocate for the state to fulfill its constitutional obligation to public education?
The state’s failure to comply with the Leandro decision has led to chronic underfunding of public schools. This shortfall has directly impacted Wake County by limiting the resources available for hiring qualified teachers, reducing class sizes, updating instructional materials, and maintaining school infrastructure. I support the school board's continuation of actively engaging state legislators, providing them with data and personal stories from families to illustrate the impact of inadequate funding on our schools.

I also believe it is critical to raise public awareness and inform parents and community members about educational issues that impact our students and educators. I believe it is important for all stakeholders to work together to urge the state legislature to fulfill their constitutional obligations.
The state's failure to honor the Leandro decision has directly impacted Wake County's school system by perpetuating inequities in funding, resources, and support for our most vulnerable students. This lack of adequate funding exacerbates disparities, leaving many schools without the resources they need to provide a sound basic education as required by the North Carolina Constitution. It also strains teachers and staff, leading to larger class sizes, reduced support services, and limited access to critical programs.

As a school board member, I would advocate for the state to fulfill its constitutional obligation by actively engaging with lawmakers, mobilizing community support, and collaborating with other districts facing similar challenges. I would push for increased funding and equitable distribution of resources, ensuring that every student in Wake County receives the quality education they deserve. Additionally, I would work to raise awareness about the Leandro decision, emphasizing its importance in achieving educational equity and holding the state accountable for its commitments to our children.
EveryChildNC researched what each NC county would receive if Leandro were fully funded, and they found that Wake County would receive a 28% budget increase which is an additional $291M. That would provide more than 800 new teaching assistants, more than 900 helping professionals (counselors, nurses, school psychologists, etc), a 140% increase in textbooks and instructional materials, and $1400 per teacher for professional development.

With less and less state funding we are forced year after year to ask local taxpayers to fund our public schools at rates much higher than would be necessary if state lawmakers honored the Leandro decision. As a board member, I will continue to advocate for the NCGA to fully fund our schools and fund Leandro as outlined in the 2019 West Ed report. Advocacy will include informing the public of our funding needs and the benefits to WCPSS, as well as about student achievement and well-being.
One direct impact is staffing levels in schools. With Leandro funding we would have more teachers, instructional assistants, counselors, nurses, and social workers in our schools. A second direct impact is that we have fewer pre-K resources as a result of the state's failure to honor Leandro.

As a board member, I will continue to use my voice and my vote at the board table whenever there is an opportunity to advocate for the state to do its job. I will also keep reminding voters that elections have consequences and I will encourage families to support candidates who will support public schools.
If we had access to the $473 million dollars that the state is estimated to be withholding to provide a sound basic education for students we could have text books (currently the textbook budget is around $30 per student), hire more professionals, pay our staff better, put more local dollars into the maintenance & operations budget to fix broken systems faster, and have less of a wait time for renovations.

Every year that I have been a board member we have put forward through our legislative agenda to push for fully funding the Leandro decision. This has been done at the county level and through the North Carolina School Boards Association. I am grateful many of our Wake county NCGA members are well versed on the litigation and the state's constitutional responsibility.
10
How would you approach the issue of staffing shortages? This issue spans transportation, facilities and maintenance, instructional assistants, and support staff, as well as teaching vacancies that are at an all time high.

I would approach the issue of staffing shortages by advocating for adequate funding to increase pay and by supporting policies that address working conditions of educators and staff. I would commit to an annual School Board work session to discuss the various employee engagement surveys to understand why staff stay or leave with the goal of implementing policies that would address some of the issues that go beyond pay and are within the school board’s authority.

I believe we should explore to determine if it would be beneficial in recruiting and retaining staff if WCPSS helps with childcare costs, housing and transportation to work costs, or pay for classes or other career development opportunities that would help advance an educator’s pay. WCPSS has a great program to identify high school graduates who want to return to WCPSS as teachers. I would support programs like that and those that help staff receive additional education that can enhance their pay.

While these initiatives have the potential to address retention, funding and pay is a root cause of attrition and the reality is with funding gaps we simply can’t address all the needs in our school system, and we should not be negotiating between our students going hungry or our staff going hungry. School boards have no taxing authority and basically rely on the legislature and the county commissioners to fund our programs.
Addressing staffing shortages across Wake County's schools requires a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach. First, we must prioritize competitive salaries and benefits to attract and retain quality staff across all roles, from transportation and facilities to instructional assistants and teachers. Providing a living wage and clear career advancement opportunities is essential to making these positions desirable and sustainable.

Second, I would advocate for improving working conditions, including reducing class sizes, ensuring manageable workloads, and offering mental health support for staff. Recognizing and addressing the challenges that contribute to burnout is critical to retaining experienced personnel.

Third, we should enhance recruitment efforts by partnering with local colleges, universities, and vocational programs to build a pipeline of qualified candidates. Expanding recruitment to include diverse and underrepresented communities will help create a more inclusive workforce that reflects our student population.

Finally, I would work to foster a positive, supportive work environment that values and respects all staff members. By recognizing the vital roles they play in our students' success and involving them in decision-making processes, we can create a school culture that attracts and retains dedicated professionals.
I will continue to advocate for the NCGA to increase teacher pay across all steps: increases for beginning teachers and our most experienced teachers and to remove the salary freeze that exists. I'll continue to advocate for the NCGA to reinstate master's pay and pass legislation that supports the teaching profession and eliminate legislation that bullies educators (SB-49).

I will also advocate for all hourly employees to receive significant increases from the state for wages that allow us to be more competitive with the private sector. This includes bus drivers, instructional assistants, facilities and maintenance staff, and child nutrition staff. Absent of increased state funding, I will work with county commissioners to do what we can with local dollars to increase these salaries and wages. I will continue to support policies that support all of these professionals. Addressing staffing shortages must include ensuring an excellent work environment where all staff feel welcome, safe and supported.
I've approached staffing issues by:

-advocating for and voting to approve increased pay for staff.

-advocating and pushing staff to make better efforts to actually listen to staff about working conditions and concerns. This year we finally had the first all staff end of year survey. I'm certain the push from the board helped bring that about.

-continuing to advocate for more resources from the NCGA.

-advocating for more recognition for staff.

-I made the motion for a market pay study review to help inform future budgets and conversations with county commissioners.
Pay them better. We have been working to increase staff pay through a multi-year funding plan alongside our county commission. When we ask staff how we can help, pay is the top issue. We have been pushing at the state level to get an increase in pay, but nothing to make up for inflation has happened yet.
11
How do you see the interaction between your particular electoral level and other levels of government, including the Wake County Board of Commissioners, other municipalities, and NCGA?

Building relationships with commissioners and the Wake legislative delegation is critical to making sure our school system is the best it can be and that we are collectively working together to serve our students. The Wake County Board of Commissioners and NCGA are both responsible for allocating funding for our schools, both capital projects and operational expenses. I anticipate maintaining a strong working relationship with the commissioners and legislature to advocate for sufficient funding, and align on priorities for spending. As the county and city grows and develops, these interactions are critical to ensuring changes to local policies, curricular standards, or development happening around our neighborhoods are done with our students’ best interests in mind.

Leveraging shared services, such as public safety, health services, and facilities are areas where the school board and other levels of government can collaborate. Effective partnerships in these areas can enhance the services available to students and reduce costs through shared resources.
The interaction between the Wake County Board of Education and other levels of government is crucial for creating a cohesive and effective educational system. Collaboration with the Wake County Board of Commissioners is essential, as they control funding allocations for our schools. A strong partnership allows us to advocate for the resources needed to address challenges like staffing shortages, facility maintenance, and educational equity.

Working with other municipalities within Wake County is also important to ensure that our policies and programs align with the needs of diverse communities. Engaging with local leaders helps tailor educational initiatives to better serve all students, taking into account the unique characteristics of each area.

At the state level, interacting with the North Carolina General Assembly (NCGA) is vital for advocating for policies that impact education, such as funding, teacher pay, and legislative mandates. As a school board member, I would actively engage with state lawmakers to ensure that the voices of our students, teachers, and parents are heard in Raleigh. By building strong relationships across all levels of government, we can work together to create a supportive and well-resourced educational environment for every student in Wake County.
It's critical we have a good working relationship with all of these governing bodies and an understanding of our roles and responsibilities. I welcome opportunities to work with each of these boards toward the greater, common good of our county and our 12 municipalities.
The interaction with other elected officials is very important to successfully running our school district. While there is always room for improvement in those interactions, we do a very solid job now. As an example, we did a good job working with General Assembly members this spring to get a bill passed for the Leadership Academies in District 6. We also do a good job communicating with County Commissioners during the budget season.

Having said that, I am going to take steps on my end to invite members of other bodies to more school tours and events so we aren't just communicating when we need something or during the budget season. As an example, I'm having the facilities team set up tours specifically with elected officials so they can see first hand how things are going.
Oh it is absolutely critical to the work I do. In a high growth district you have to know growth patterns and what's coming in the municipalities you represent. The county commissioners are our largest partners, not just on the budget and the capitol improvement plan to renovate and build schools, but they have been helping us by modeling an ordinance that no new vape shops be built in the county within a certain distance of a school. Apex had this ordinance as well. More towns signed on and I hope that soon all municipalities in Wake will pass this ordinance.

The NCGA is in charge of the state budget and our biggest funder with 60% of the budget coming from the state. I regularly work with the Wake Delegation to share our legislative agenda and let them know what is happening in our schools so they can be better informed as they make decisions about schools.
12
Our Republican legislature has begun making regulations that apply to EVERY public school in North Carolina, like the Parent’s Bill of Rights. Many of these laws require active participation by local school boards. How can you, as a school board member, act within the law and still protect the welfare of LGBTQ+ students and ensure that trained educators are making educational decisions for our children?

While the school board does not have authority to override any state laws, I fully support the Board’s equity policy and advancing any policies and practices that protect children, celebrate the fullness of their identities, and allow for them to see themselves reflected in the materials they read and access. I would support compliance with Federal nondiscrimination laws like Title IX and the accompanying school board policy adopting protections for students based on sexual orientation or gender identity.As a school board member, my priority is to protect the welfare of all students, including LGBTQ+ students, while ensuring that educators have the autonomy to make sound educational decisions. To navigate laws like the Parent’s Bill of Rights, I would focus on implementing policies that comply with legal requirements while safeguarding the dignity and rights of LGBTQ+ students.

I would advocate for clear, inclusive policies that respect the identities of LGBTQ+ students, ensuring they have a safe and supportive environment. This includes training staff on the importance of inclusivity and the specific needs of LGBTQ+ students, so they are well-equipped to provide appropriate support within the legal framework.

Additionally, I would work to ensure that decisions impacting students’ education remain in the hands of trained educators, who understand their students' needs best. By fostering open communication with parents while maintaining professional boundaries, we can balance the law's requirements with the educational expertise needed to serve every student effectively.

Ultimately, I would use my platform to champion equity, respect, and inclusivity, ensuring that all students, regardless of their background or identity, receive the quality education and support they deserve.
Our board responded swiftly to SB-49 by strengthening our policies regarding challenges to books and instructional materials. It is not easy to remove a book or instructional material in WCPSS, and it shouldn't be. Our policy now has 4 steps in place for challenges: first a conversation w/ the school principal, second a school-level review, third a district-level review and fourth a school board-level review.

There are other new requirements in the policy that support students' freedom to read and learn. I speak up often in support of LGBTQ+ staff and students and trust our legal counsel and policy staff to keep us in compliance with state and federal law while also guiding us in ways we can support ALL students and staff regardless of how they identify.
Part of the whole child approach and Maslow's hierarchy of needs is providing a safe and welcoming environment for all of our students. We will continue to prioritize that as a school system with messaging from the Board and from our Superintendent. That is both in our policies and in our strategic plan as priority #2: We will prioritize caring for students and staff as individuals and developing and maintaining positive social-emotional, behavioral, and mental health.Every child should feel valued in WCPSS. School Board member take an oath to uphold the laws and constitution of North Carolina & the United States. WCPSS is required to follow the law. We do have to ensure that this is being applied equally across the district and minimize any harm to children.

WCPSS has an equity policy that guides our decision making, as well as a Bullying & Harassment and Discrimination policy that applies to students & staff.
13
INCUMBENT/CURRENTLY IN OFFICE ONLY: During your time in leadership, describe one failure you experienced and what you learned from it. (If you are not currently in office, type "N/A.")

N/ADuring my leadership, I faced a challenge in securing adequate funds to provide free lunches for all children across the district. Despite successfully encouraging families to apply for school lunch programs, disparities remained, with some schools accumulating excessive angle funds while others faced shortfalls. This uneven distribution highlighted the challenges of ensuring equitable access to free meals for all students.

From this experience, I learned the importance of advocating for more consistent and equitable funding mechanisms at the district level. I also realized the need for targeted efforts to support schools that are struggling to meet their students' needs, rather than relying solely on district-wide initiatives. Moving forward, I would work to develop strategies that ensure all schools, regardless of their current funding levels, receive the support they need to provide free, nutritious meals to every child. This experience has deepened my commitment to equity and taught me the importance of addressing disparities head-on to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for all students.
Collectively, we failed many children in the 2022-23 school year by not providing reliable bus service. If we can't get children to school, we can't provide the education they deserve. It was a challenge we took very seriously and worked hard on throughout the year. We implemented new processes for streamlining the application process, offered new bonus structures, and invested in recruiting new drivers. To get us in a better position to recruit and retain drivers, we have raised the hourly driver pay to $20/hr, something our county commissioner partners made possible.

As we approach the start of traditional calendar for 2024-25, staff has reported to us that all routes are covered. Our board is committed to monitoring student transportation and doing all we can to provide safe, reliable bus service.
In general, the failure to understand just how much pushing needs to be done to make changes within the bureaucracy and how slow the process can be. What I've learned is that both as an individual and as a board, we have to be persistent and consistent in pressing for the changes we want to see implemented. There can be a lot of resistance because "it's always been done this way," and we need to work to change that mindset. I do believe the hiring of Dr. Taylor as superintendent is helping to make that change.
When I was chair, I once forgot to introduce an elected official at an event. I now ask if I have missed someone before moving on.
14
NEW CANDIDATE/NOT CURRENTLY IN OFFICE ONLY: What is one seemingly intractable issue for WCPSS or your specific district that you are concerned you might not be able to mitigate? What makes this issue so challenging? (If you are an incumbent or currently in office, type "N/A.")
One seemingly intractable issue that concerns me for our district is simultaneously aging school facilities. This issue is particularly challenging because it involves both the physical infrastructure of our schools and the broader, unpredictable effects of a changing climate. Many of our school buildings are decades old and were not designed to handle the increasing severity and frequency of extreme weather events associated with climate change, such as hurricanes, floods, and heatwaves. Retrofitting or replacing old facilities to make them more climate-resilient requires significant financial investment, and older facilities require significant maintenance costs. Decades of underfunding our schools and increasing needs in other important areas makes it difficult to allocate the necessary funding and attention to long-term facility upgrades. There is so much to be done and simply not enough funding to do it all it is difficult to prioritize when everything is urgent.
N/AN/AN/AN/A
15
Politicians with no experience in education often make decisions regarding education that are “questionable.” What qualifications or experiences do you have for making decisions regarding education in Wake County?
I worked as an educator and volunteer in schools and also spent years working in higher education and government roles that required me to interpret laws and policies impacting students. However, the qualifications that make me uniquely suited to make decisions regarding education in Wake county is my experience as a community organizer and popular educator. I do not make decisions in a vacuum. I work to build relationships across a broad swath of community members, seek feedback, listen, and consider perspectives different from mine. I am willing to consider feedback, do my research, and change my mind when presented with a different set of facts. I am thoughtful about going out of my way to hear from everyone, not just the loudest voices in the room. And most importantly, I treat parents, educators, school staff and children as partners in this work.
My qualifications for making decisions regarding education in Wake County stem from over two decades of dedicated advocacy for K-12 education and parent engagement in public schools. As a mother, grandmother, and lifelong resident of Wake County, I've been deeply involved in our school system, serving in various leadership roles within Wake County Public Schools and community organizations. My experience includes addressing disparities in school suspension rates, school lunch programs, and securing additional funding to support student needs.

Additionally, as a certified Mental Health First Aid Trainer and long-standing advocate for mental health, I understand the critical link between student well-being and academic success. My work has focused on creating supportive environments that cater to the whole child—academically, socially, and emotionally.

I bring a unique perspective that combines firsthand experience with a deep commitment to equity and excellence in education. My history of standing up for what is right and prioritizing students' needs over politics ensures that I am well-equipped to make informed, compassionate, and effective decisions that benefit all students in Wake County.
As stated in question one, both of our children were K-12 WCPSS students. During their time in WCPSS I served on multiple PTA boards at multiple schools and served in leadership positions. I served on 2 BACs (Board Advisory Councils): D4 when Rosa Gill was the D4 rep and D5 under Dr. Ann McLaurin and Dr. Jim Martin. I served as Chair and Secretary several times each on the D5 BAC. I started attending school board meetings and providing public comment in 2010; organized WCPSS advocates as a founding member of Great Schools In Wake.

Before becoming a board member I attended joint school board and commissioner mtgs and spoke in support of the WCPSS budget requests at many commissioner public comment sessions. I've served as Outreach Director for Public Schools First NC for more than 10yrs. This work keeps me well informed of state ed policy and funding issues. I've been to committee meetings and sessions at the NCGA. I am well qualified to serve on the Wake Board of Education.
-Currently on the School Board (First Term),
-Chair of Facilities committee,
-Member of policy committee.

Prior to being elected
-Served on Board Advisory Council
-Was PTA treasurer and PTA Health and Wellness chair
-10 years coaching at a WCPSS high school.
-Public School Parent

I also believe that I've proven to be someone that actively listens, serves with integrity and is very responsive when it comes to constituent services.
I am a mom of 3 students, I have a diverse background in education and classroom experience. I have great feedback loops through my Board Advisory Council and don't hesitate to ask questions. I have great communication with our teachers and staff in Wake County. I have a desire to keep learning and to make the best decisions I can with the information and data I have. I have a strong moral compass and desire to do what is best for students in this district.
16
OPTIONAL: If there is anything else you wish to share with us, please use this space.
I care deeply about the well-being of our young people and have dedicated my life to fostering fairness and equity. I believe I will make an excellent school board member and bring my kind, conscientious, servant leadership to the role. I am grateful for the opportunity to earn your vote and partner with each and every one of you to make our public schools centers of excellence and care.
Thank you for the opportunity to share my concerns and insights as a candidate for the Wake Board of Education. I appreciate your support and am committed to advocating for the best interests of our students and community. Together, we can work towards an equitable and supportive educational environment for all.
I genuinely love the work of a school board member, and being at the schools in my district and getting to know educators, parents, students and administrators. I'm up for addressing our challenges and making hard decisions. I ask for your endorsement and am excited to serve another 4 yrs. Thank you.
Thank you for taking the time to read through this. If you live in District 8, I hope to earn your vote.
17
18