My Priorities
The purpose of the Board of Education is to set policies, establish goals and serve as a liaison between the school system and the community. The Board provides accountability for all parties involved. When I am elected to the local school board, I will strive to adhere to all of those areas. My goal while serving in this capacity is to see overall school improvement, increased communication, staff retention and student preparedness.
Priorities Areas
1.
School Improvement
I want to be able to see marked improvement in safety, security and appearance in the buildings. I want to see measurable upgrades to our existing buildings including needed renovations and repairs. Safety of our buildings needs to continue to be in the forefront of our minds. I also want to see progress in staff and student morale and a noted pride for each school.
2.
Improved Communication
Another area of priority while serving Transylvania County is communication. There are board members, administrators, staff, students and parents all involved in our system. It is imperative that communication flows appropriately and effectively for all parties involved. Communication is key to improvement and can bring positive results when used correctly. Regardless of the situation or relationship, communication can always be improved upon. As a system, we need to strive to communicate with all parties in the best ways possible.
3.
Staff Retention
I will also put an emphasis on staff retention. As a board member, resident of Transylvania County and a parent, I want to hire, train and maintain excellent, qualified staff. As a system, we need to focus on securing staff who are committed to serving our TCS students. We need to work to make TCS a place where teachers and other staff want to stay, not just a stepping stone to other systems. Consistency and tenure among our staff is important for the success of our students.
4.
Student Preparedness
We also need to do everything in our power to engage our students so they want to remain in the TCS system. We must offer classes, use appropriate technology and provide for the future needs of our students. As a system, we need to ensure that they can be successful adults. We need to prepare them for a world past High School, regardless of what that looks like for each student. When students know they can succeed they will want to become a proud graduate of the TCS system.