Former Educator in the Halifax County Schools system

Honors:

Roanoke River Basketball Coach-of-the-year 13 times.

Halifax County Principal-of-the-Year four times.

Halifax County Principal-of-the Year runner-up three times.

Attends Lebanon Baptist Church in Halifax.

1. Why are you running?

I am a 42 year-veteran of the Halifax County School System. I am tired of our children being put down, the system being made a mockery of, and little positive reporting about it. I know that a change can and will take place. Test scores were not always at the bottom and the public opinion was not always negative. I want our integrity restored. Halifax County has been my home for the last 45 years. I have pride in the citizens there.

2. Why do you feel you are qualified to run?

I retired in 2009 from the Halifax County School System. I was principal at three schools (Enfield and Davie Middle Schools and Everetts Elementary. I served as an assistant principal (SE Halifax and Enfield High School), math teacher (Enfield and Inborden High Schools). I was Recreation Director in the Town of Enfield for 22 years. I was a Varsity Boys and Girls Basketball Coach for 17 years.( SE Halifax, Enfield High, Inborden High). I know how to plan, to develop budgets, to greet the public, to represent viewpoints, and to be successful. I never worked at a low-performing school. I am respected by people of various backgrounds, and I love and care for children. My entire background is education; in fact Education is my business, my only business.

3. Do you support school merger? If so, please explain why. If not, please explain why?

School merger is like death, it is inevitable. Whether I agree or disagree has little value. It will happen. Whether in my life or not I don't know. I do feel that there are two answers however: If merger is for adults to hold on to 19th century values and ideals, then no merger, however, if merger is to give all children the best quality education available, with adequate funding, facilities, and instruction, it is a no-brainer — yes.

4. How much will merger cost the taxpayers of Halifax County. Please elaborate.

An old quote says "You pay for the education of the child or the ignorance of the man." I believe this. The cost to residents in Roanoke Rapids and Weldon were barely disputed, yet the supplemental tax for the children there definitely gives them more resources. I have studied different opinions on the actual cost of merger. I think that a few legal modifications could greatly reduce any tax increase. I believe that you get what you pay for. All children deserve the best.

5. What are the alternatives to merger? Would you support the sharing of resources with Weldon and Roanoke Rapids as an alternative to merger?

Alternatives to merger include equal funding to all three districts. By this I mean the sales tax that goes to Weldon and to Roanoke Rapids, but not to the Halifax County School system. This could greatly help with supplies, teachers, and instructional needs. Sharing of resources would only be a temporary alternative. Our changing economy simply cannot continue to support three systems. Enrollment is declining also.

6. What are the immediate academic needs of students within the Halifax County School System? How do you go about seeing these needs are met?

The immediate need of students in the Halifax County School System, according to many, is to improve test scores. Careful scrutiny however shows that all three systems need to do this. We are failing minority students grossly, in all three districts. Our students are not reading on grade level, we have no supplements for teachers, retention is difficult, and the DPI effort is not creating desired results. Change is necessary to begin to change. I noted before that the system was not always in this position. If readers would go to ncreportcards.org they can see for themselves about statewide test scores for minority students.

7. What does the Halifax County School System have to do to regain the trust of the county commissioners?

I think the commissioners should really spend time in getting to know the system and the employees better. I worked there over 40 years. They have always operated on a bare-bones budget. More positive reporting of the accomplishments would also help to regain trust. Test scores are only one indicator of an effective school system. If we were to really break down the scores of all systems, the public would be shocked and amazed. The problems are not just within the Halifax County District.

8. What are the biggest facility needs within the school system?

I think the facilities simply need to be adequately maintained. Many schools are old and outdated. Available funds to maintain a healthy, yet safe environment is what they need most.

9. How does the school system prevent the loss of students to the new KIPP Halifax school?

More positive reports to parents, more emphasis on the total child instead of EOG scores, and more local support.

10. At this moment, what is the financial picture of the county school system. What improvements need to be made?

The financial aspect is not clear. Students are leaving, causing reduced state funds and therefore reduced local funds. It is hard to get ahead with less. The budgets are being approved and balanced; the auditors are giving rave reviews. They need time now to share these things with the public.