These issue areas reflect the responsibilities of the Moore County Board of Education and the values that guide transparent governance.

Does “Parents First” mean parents are always right? No. Parents First does not mean parents always get their way. It means parents are informed, engaged, and treated as partners in their child’s education. Aren’t parents sometimes part of the problem? Yes. When expectations, communication, or accountability break down at home, schools feel it. Strong schools require responsibility from parents, students, educators, and administrators alike. So why emphasize parents at all? Because engaged parents improve student outcomes. When families understand expectations and feel respected, behavior improves, communication improves, and teachers are better supported. What is the school board’s role? The board’s job is to set clear policies, support educators, and communicate openly with families — not to excuse bad behavior or assign blame. How does this help students? Students succeed when adults work together with clear expectations, mutual respect, and accountability.

Parents are the primary stakeholders in a child’s education, and schools function best when families are fully informed, respected, and meaningfully involved. Strong governance requires: • Open meetings and clear public communication • Advance notice of major policy decisions • Accessible policies and procedures • Respectful collaboration with families Transparency is not just a best practice — it is essential for building trust between the school system and the community.

Every student and staff member deserves a safe, orderly learning environment. School safety requires a balanced approach that includes prevention, accountability, and coordinated response. Key areas of focus include: • Early intervention and professional threat assessment • Clear, consistent behavioral expectations • Fair and predictable student discipline procedures • Access to counseling and behavioral support services • Appropriate alternative education placements when needed • Coordination with law enforcement for serious safety concerns Effective discipline protects the learning environment for all students while also providing structured intervention for those who need additional support. Safety policies must promote accountability, ensure due process, and involve families as partners whenever possible. Public confidence in school safety depends on clear communication, consistent policy application, and transparency in how serious incidents are addressed.

Strong schools focus on strong fundamentals: • Literacy and numeracy • Career and technical education • College preparation • Workforce readiness Academic success depends on focused instruction, high expectations, and the tools teachers need to deliver effective instruction without unnecessary distraction.

Teachers and staff are the foundation of student success. Retention, classroom stability, and professional support are essential for maintaining strong schools. Key priorities include: • Creating supportive working environments • Providing appropriate instructional resources • Clear policies and expectations • Stable staffing and leadership Strong schools require strong educators who feel respected and supported.

Taxpayer dollars must be managed responsibly, with clear justification for spending and long-term planning for facilities, staffing, and operations. Sound fiscal governance includes: • Clear budget reporting • Public explanation of major expenditures • Long-term facilities planning • Responsible use of debt and capital funds Fiscal transparency protects both students and taxpayers.

Student assignment and transportation decisions affect daily family life and should be understandable, predictable, and data-driven. Good assignment policy requires: • Clear attendance zone boundaries • Transparent criteria for reassignment • Regular review of capacity and growth • Reasonable transportation planning • Clear communication with families Families deserve to understand why assignment decisions are made and how long changes are expected to last.

The Board of Education exists to provide policy direction, public oversight, and accountability — not day-to-day micromanagement. Good governance includes: • Clear separation of oversight and operations • Accurate reporting to the Board and public • Independent review when needed • Public access to information • Consistent application of district policy Trust in the school system depends on transparent, accountable leadership.

What do you mean by “oversight committees”? By oversight committees, I mean focused board committees or citizen advisory committees that review specific areas—such as finances, facilities planning, or policy—and provide recommendations to the school board in a transparent, structured way. These committees do not replace the board, and they do not make final decisions. They exist to improve accountability, clarity, and public trust. Do school boards in North Carolina already use committees like this? Yes. Many school boards across North Carolina use: • Board committees (such as finance, facilities, or policy committees) to provide deeper review before items come to the full board. • Citizen advisory committees that include parents, educators, and community members to provide perspective and feedback. These are common governance tools used to strengthen decision-making. Are citizen oversight or advisory committees legal in North Carolina? Yes. North Carolina law allows school boards to create committees and advisory bodies, including those that involve citizens, as long as: • The school board retains final decision-making authority • Meetings comply with open-meetings requirements • Committees serve an advisory or review function Many boards already operate this way successfully. Would these committees have authority over teachers or administrators? No. Oversight or advisory committees would not manage schools, direct staff, or interfere with instruction. Their role would be to: • Review information • Ask questions • Improve transparency • Provide recommendations to the board Day-to-day operations remain with professional educators and administrators. Why do you believe oversight committees are helpful? Because better decisions are made when: • Information is reviewed carefully • The public understands how and why decisions are made • The board has structured input before major votes Oversight committees help slow the process down, reduce surprises, and increase public confidence. Is this about criticism or blame? No. This is about good governance, not fault-finding. Oversight committees work best when they are: • Balanced • Respectful • Focused on improvement • Transparent and professional The goal is stronger schools and stronger trust—not division. How does this connect to your campaign message? My campaign is focused on Listening First. Leading Responsibly. Structured oversight and advisory committees are one way to: • Listen more effectively • Improve transparency • Support educators • Make decisions in the open

Who is responsible for coordinating communication on major capital projects? Both the Superintendent and the Board of Education have important but different roles. • The Superintendent and staff are responsible for managing the day-to-day communication and coordination with county commissioners, municipal governments, planning departments, and utilities. • The Board of Education is responsible for governance—setting expectations, providing oversight, and ensuring that coordination is actually happening before major decisions are made. What does the Superintendent’s role include? • The Superintendent and staff are responsible for: • Initiating communication with county and municipal governments • Coordinating planning, zoning, utilities, transportation, and infrastructure issues • Developing capital project options, timelines, and cost estimates • Bringing well-vetted recommendations to the Board This is management work, and it belongs with professional staff. What is the Board of Education’s role? The Board’s role is governance, not project management. The Board should: • Set clear expectations that intergovernmental coordination must occur • Require regular updates on communication and planning • Ask whether all affected governments have been consulted • Ensure projects align with long-range plans and enrollment projections • Pause or delay decisions if coordination is incomplete • Make final policy and funding decisions in public Should board members negotiate directly with other governments? No. Individual board members should not negotiate or manage projects directly. However, the Board as a body must ensure that coordination is occurring and that decisions are informed by input from all affected governments. Why is this separation of roles important? Clear roles: • Prevent micromanagement • Protect professional staff • Improve accountability • Reduce surprises • Build trust with county and municipal partners • Lead to better outcomes for taxpayers and students What happens when coordination breaks down? When intergovernmental coordination is incomplete or unclear: • Options become limited • Costs can increase • Trust erodes • Taxpayers lose confidence in the process That’s why oversight and transparency matter.