PLATFORM Digital Magazine Premiere Issue | Page 10

Funding for Schools
The value of public education as the cornerstone to our democracy has been overshadowed in recent
years and our teachers have been under attack. Our schools are severely underfunded. I will be a
strong advocate for increased funding so our schools can operate effectively and our children’s education is not compromised. Our state and federal constitution requires that every child receive a free,
high quality education and that is what I will fight for. I will:
? Advocate for continued investment in our public school system to our county commissioners
and the local delegation of state representatives.
? Work to ensure as Wake County adds new schools that it is also a priority to keep existing
school facilities up to date and so all schools are academically successful.
? Build relationships with the organizations asking the NC General Assembly for increased
funding for schools.
Wake County School Bond
It is the decision of the Wake County Commissioners to determine the best way to collect funds for
school construction and renovation not the School Board’s role. The School System, working with the
County Commission, carries out the construction and renovations of schools, once a bond is passed. I
do support the School Bond because there are clear needs for renovation in our older schools. Wake
County could see 20,000 additional students by 2018, according to a report by the Greater Raleigh
Chamber of Commerce. I know that Garner and Fuquay-Varina, as well as many other across the
county, have been waiting a long time to improve their facilities. I believe we must provide high
quality learning environments for all students. Our community cannot be a great place to live or start
a business without adequate schools preparing a skilled workforce. In addition to my support for the
school bond, I will advocate to making sure we are using existing space efficiently and always looking for innovative ways to stretch our resources so that we keep the burden on taxpayers as low as
possible. District 2 is included in the bond and if passed build a new high school in Garner as well as
renovations and upgrades other schools in Garner and Fuquay-Varina.
Racial Disparity and School Suspensions
A child can only learn and achieve if they are in the classroom and they are behaving appropriately.
Research shows that students of color are suspended more often for non-violent violations than their
counterparts. The same studies show that suspensions increase the probability of these students
dropping out of school and not graduating from high school. I believe we need to look for other alternatives and strategies to deal with behavior/discipline problems. We must work with teachers to
make sure they have the support of the principal and the parents/guardians. It does not serve our
community well if our students fail grades or drop out of school due to problems with discipline at
school that leads to expulsions. Making better progress in this area will increase student performances in schools and increase graduation rates.
? I will work with students, parents, teachers, principals and the Superintendent to identify
ways to keep kids in school, successful and on track to graduate from high school.
? I support the review of suspensions for Level One Offenses (talking back, being tardy, etc.)
and seek ways to effective deal with these violations with using out of school suspension.
? I will work to improve the relationship between parents and the school. Research shows that
resolving minor behavior problems in a positive manner can keep them from escalating to
more serious behavior problems at school or home in addition to keeping students in school.

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