Opening Statement:
Currituck County is a great place to live, a great place work, and a great place in which to raise a family. It is brimming with capable, caring, involved citizens, and has such wealth in this area, that I know it also has unlimited potential. I would like to see Currituck’s schools to be the very best they can be; to reach this potential that I know exists. Our children deserve nothing less. I want to be a part of that growth; to put to use the experience I have gained here over my 26 years in the school system, stemming from teacher to superintendent, and I’m asking the voters to provide me the opportunity to do so.

How do you propose addressing budget/finance issue given shortfalls in funding and revenue?

Each program, travel expense, and workshop expense should be evaluated to determine its effectiveness and need. Given that the Board has budgeted over $700,000 the last two years for travel and workshops, plus the expense of sending people to China, and the teaching of Mandarin Chinese, it’s clear there are funds available to work with. Yet my opponent has chosen to save money by jeopardizing the health and safety of our students by reducing the number of school nurses and the number of days they spend at each school. There are also several supplemental programs that can be evaluated in the quest for finding more monies to offset shortfalls. We just need to prioritize, with the understanding that the health, safety, and success of our students always comes first.

How do you propose continuing professional development of teaching staff?

Professional development is important to the growth of an effective teacher, yet, professional development should not come at the expense of student achievement. Obviously, taking teachers from the classroom impacts instructional time. If a professional development program is deemed that valuable, perhaps one or two teachers can attend and provide turn-around training for their colleagues.

How do you propose providing direction/focus to the Superintendent?

Everyone wants what is best for our students, therefore, collaboration and execution of what it takes to achieve that is a common goal. I’m certain we will work together to gain maximum results for student achievement within our county. While I was Superintendent, our student achievement rose from mediocrity to some of the highest in the state. This was achieved without expensive programs. I understand what it takes to lead a great district and feel I have experience I can share as I work diligently with all involved to create the direction and focus needed to reach our potential once again.

How do you propose lowering the drop-out rate?

This is a nationwide problem. One of the best methods of addressing it is to interview dropouts as to why they dropped out and then try to overcome the reasons. Student success is still one way to reduce the number of dropouts. When students are successful, the drop out rates are lower. Placing emphasis on student achievement should result in fewer dropouts.

How do you propose restoring/improving faculty, staff, and community confidence in Currituck County Public Schools?

Once again, confidence within a school system is built through the achievement of the community’s children. We need to allow our teachers the ability to return the focus to our students. We need to work together to cut wasteful spending of money, and to prioritize instructional time. Returning our district to one of the best in the state will improve morale and county-wide confidence in our schools.

How do you propose improving teacher retention?

Who would want to leave a top district built through student achievement?
If teachers and staff members feel respected, valued, supported, and productive they will stay.

How do you propose improving vocational programs/training?

Basically, improvement of the vocational programs will require funding and support for their much valued and needed place within our county. As we refine our spending priorities within the school system we should look hard as to what is needed to further support vocational programs.

Why should voters elect you over your opponent?

The good news here is that the citizens of Currituck County want to get involved in a community that they care about; voters and candidates alike. Voters should elect me because I have ‘ been there, done that’. I retired after 34 years in education, the last 26 within the Currituck County School System. After completing my Doctorate from Virginia Tech I became the Superintendent of Currituck County Public Schools. I assumed this position after serving as the Assistant Superintendent, the Currituck High School principal, the principal of Moyock Elementary, and as a teacher at Knott’s Island. I have taught from elementary to high school. I know what it takes to work hard together to achieve success within a school system who has the potential that ours does. We had Currituck at the top, and our students belong there once again.

Return to Currituck Board of Education - At Large

Return to 2010 Voter’s Guide for Currituck County Index