Open House at Chicod

Pitt County is experiencing unprecedented growth that is challenging our schools and communities to prepare ALL students to reach their potential. Ten areas of concern, which remain as my platform for the next four years are:

• Student Achievement: “I believe testing is not the only evaluation of student achievement. Student interest, career preparation, and drop-out rates all measure individual success and need to be emphasized.”
• Discipline: “We must continue to insist that our students’ model clearly defined behavioral expectations.  Student achievement is directly related to student behavior.”
• Quality Educational Programs: “Students in every school must have the same programmatic opportunities. Partnerships with health institutions, Pitt Community College, and ECU are important, but vocational courses should be equally emphasized. Every dollar spent must be student focused.
• Safe Schools: “Traffic patterns should be examined to direct school traffic away from dangerous areas. Security in schools and on buses, with the use of metal detectors, cameras and CRO’s should be periodically assessed and improved.” 
• Community Involvement: “The Board needs to encourage community leaders to become more involved. Cooperation should be cultivated between County Commissioners, municipalities, civic organizations, and School Board members.”
• Parent Involvement: “I support the Parents Bill of Rights and actively seek ways to promote more transparency and accountability in our schools.  Parents should always feel informed and invited when they have questions and concerns that they wish to express at their local school board meetings.” 
• Local Supplements: “I continually work with our County Commission Board to ultimately increase the local supplement paid to teachers to 10%. 
• School Calendars: “I believe that the board should promote every legal avenue to provide an academic calendar which includes a fall semester that concludes at the Christmas and New Year break.  
• Nurses: “I support providing a skilled and certified nurse in every school”
• Open Door Policy: “Every phone call is important. I will return every call in a timely manner. I will also be a visible contributor in our schools.”

One of the joys of serving the Board of Education is having the opportunity to attend activities at the various schools I represent. Here I had the opportunity to participate in the Fifth Grade D.A.R.E. Graduation held at G.R. Whitfield.