Elon News Network, Campaigning for ABSS Board of Education: Avery Wagoner hopes to prioritize public education and address district budget

LinkedIn

Avery earned his bachelor's degree in marketing and public relations from Appalachian State University. He volunteers as a youth coach in baseball, soccer, and basketball. He lives in Burlington with his wife, Becky, and their 2 children. He is a member of First Presbyterian Church in Burlington.

Avery currently works as vice president of wholesale marketing with Cary Oil Company.

Avery Wagoner previously ran for County Board of Education Member in Alamance County in 2022, but did not win.

Alamance Advocates for Education, Avery Wagoner

The Alamance News, Burlington parent, business executive to run for ABSS school board

Believes the school system is currently well funded.

Believes the board must use creative methods to maximize the budget.

- Believes the school system is currently well funded.
- Believes the board must use creative methods to maximize the budget.

School Facilities & Resources

As of May 31, 2025, Avery Wagoner did not have a website or any information online.

Access to Education

Said, "We need to continue to support our teachers with resources, funding and administrative assistance as well, so they can do their jobs daily."

- Said, "We need to continue to support our teachers with resources, funding and administrative assistance as well, so they can do their jobs daily."

Teachers

School Curriculum

Said, "We must ensure that every school has a nurturing environment for learning."

- Said, "We must ensure that every school has a nurturing environment for learning."

Student Wellbeing

Facebook

Avery Wagoner

nc values

Corrie was born and raised in Alamance County. She earned a degree in accounting. She is married and has two sons. 

Corrie previously worked as an office administrator. 

The Alamance News, Flurry of filings sets up lineups for 2024, including GOP primary for county commissioner race

Corrie Shepherd's campaign for Alamance County Board of Education Member is her first run for public office. 

As of May 31, 2025, Corrie Shepherd did not have a website or any information online.

Recording of ABSS School Board meeting

Supports parental oversight of school children's health and has concerns with implementing telehealth into the school system.

Believes parents, not minors, should be the ones who consent to the treatments a minor receives.

- Supports parental oversight of school children's health and has concerns with implementing telehealth into the school system.
- Believes parents, not minors, should be the ones who consent to the treatments a minor receives.

Twitter

Corrie Shepherd

ABSS Board of Education

The Alamance News, Teacher-administrator returns in new role: school board member

Donna attended Cummings High School. She earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics education from Elon University and a master's degree in school administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Donna and her husband Ricky have 2 children and 4 grandchildren. They are members of First United Methodist Church of Elon.

Donna is currently retired. She previously worked as a teacher and administrator for the Alamance-Burlington School System. 

Donna Davis Westbrooks currently serves as an Alamance County Board of Education Member. She was first elected in 2020 and is serving her first term. 

As of May 31, 2025, Donna Davis Westbrooks did not have a website or any information online.

Donna Davis Westbrooks

Alamance News, Founder of new charter school has decades of STEM experience, school choice advocacy

Peter is originally from England. He earned his master’s degrees in electrical engineering and physics from the University of Cambridge.

Peter is retired. He previously worked as a engineer and facilities manager for the Free Electron Laser Laboratory at Duke University, as a director of business operations for telecommunications company ITT, as a chief engineer for a telecommunications company in England, and as a private consultant for manufacturing construction and start-ups.

Peter Morcombe previously ran for Chapel Hill-Carrboro city school board in the mid-1990s and for the North Carolina Senate Seat in Orange County in 2002, but did not win.

As of May 31, 2025, Peter Morcombe did not have a website or any information online.

Supports the creation of charter schools.

- Supports the creation of charter schools.

Peter Morcombe

Sandy is from Alamance County and attended Southern Alamance High School. She is married to her husband, Justin, with whom she has 3 children. 

Sandy currently works as a realtor at Allen Tate Realtors. She previously worked as a self-employed realtor at Ellington Real Estate. 

Sandy Ellington-Graves currently serves as member of the Alamance County Board of Education. She was elected to this position in 2020 and is serving her first term. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Alamance-Caswell Builders Association and is a former president of Alamance County Meals on Wheels

Candidate website

Believes increasing per pupil funding benefits all citizens and supports community engagement to improve the school system.

Wants to involve county residents and local businesses in BOE affairs. 

Believes in maintaining "full transparency and accountability" for school funding, including the $150M school bond, $23.1M joint capital improvement plan, and $45.7M budget request.

Supports financial accountability and responsible spending to establish" mutual interest in improving the efficiency of our school system and its operations."

Believes Alamance County must adapt its school facilities and resources to meet the needs of a growing population. Supports addressing overcrowded schools through progress and adaptation.

Wants the school system to ensure they can adapt to school needs. 

Supports upholding transparency and accountability, as she believes it will help form stronger relationships with the public.

- Wants to involve county residents and local businesses in BOE affairs. 
- Supports financial accountability and responsible spending to establish" mutual interest in improving the efficiency of our school system and its operations."
- Wants the school system to ensure they can adapt to school needs. 
- Supports upholding transparency and accountability, as she believes it will help form stronger relationships with the public.

Believes expanding Career and Technical Education and partnerships with local businesses ensures equal access to career readiness. Supports job shadowing, internships, and professional certifications for students.

Supports expanding initiatives that focus on skills for college readiness and career development. 

Supports reopening schools for in-person learning when it is deemed safe. Believes remote learning presents significant challenges for students and parents.

Supports reopening schools for in-person learning during the COVID-19 pandemic only when they were considered "SAFE TO OPEN."

- Supports expanding initiatives that focus on skills for college readiness and career development. 
- Supports reopening schools for in-person learning during the COVID-19 pandemic only when they were considered "SAFE TO OPEN."

Supports attracting and retaining top educators with competitive pay, professional development, and resources. Believes investing in teacher support strengthens recruitment and retention efforts.

Supports efforts to attract and retain teachers through competitive pay, career development, classroom resources, technology, and supportive leadership. 

Believes in rewarding effective educators and increasing teacher pay to address teacher shortages. Said, "Teaching is so much more than measuring test scores" and emphasizes the importance of teacher training for student success.

Plans to focus on enhancing county school, saying it will develop an environment where the teachers are valued and all students can receive a quality education.

- Supports efforts to attract and retain teachers through competitive pay, career development, classroom resources, technology, and supportive leadership. 
- Plans to focus on enhancing county school, saying it will develop an environment where the teachers are valued and all students can receive a quality education.

As of May 31, 2025, Sandy Ellington-Graves’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Believes students need "safe and healthy learning environments" free from distractions like leaking roofs and crowded hallways. Supports increased security measures and full-time School Resource Officers (SROs) to protect students and staff.

Supports ensuring schools uphold a safe and healthy environment for learning. 

Believes in balancing screen time, student/teacher engagement, and independent learning while addressing hot spot accessibility, nutritional needs, and mental well-being.

Wants to establish a balance of screen time, classroom engagement, and independent studying for students. 

Supported increased security measures and maintaining partnerships with law enforcement to help protect students and faculty.

- Supports ensuring schools uphold a safe and healthy environment for learning. 
- Wants to establish a balance of screen time, classroom engagement, and independent studying for students. 
- Supported increased security measures and maintaining partnerships with law enforcement to help protect students and faculty.

Sandy Ellington-Graves

Alamance-Burlington School System, Board of Education

Seneca is from Alamance County. He graduated from Cummings High, then earned his bachelor's degree in political science from North Carolina A&T University. He has also completed his education at the police academy, and mentors students in service initiatives and as a track coach.

Seneca Rogers is a community advocate. He has also worked for 17 years as a reimbursement analyst at LabCorp.

Seneca Rogers is currently a member of the Alamance County Board of Education. He was appointed in 2023 and is serving his first term.

Believes in transforming school facilities to better serve community needs, such as converting Cummings into an arts school and Graham into a trade school.

Believes community involvement is essential for school facilities and resources, including support from businesses and local partners.

- Believes in transforming school facilities to better serve community needs, such as converting Cummings into an arts school and Graham into a trade school.
- Believes community involvement is essential for school facilities and resources, including support from businesses and local partners.

Believes success in education involves increased parental and community involvement, student advocacy, and stronger school relationships. Plans to make Alamance Burlington a preferred choice for education through inclusivity, innovation, and community collaboration.

Believes success in education involves increased parental and community involvement, student advocacy, and stronger school relationships, and plans to make Alamance Burlington a preferred choice for education through inclusivity, innovation, and community collaboration.

Believes in providing equitable access to diverse technological resources to support individual learning preferences.

Believes equitable access to technology in education shapes the future and celebrates student individuality. Supports providing technological tools to ensure students thrive in a constantly changing world.

Believes equitable access to technology in education shapes the future and celebrates student individuality, and supports providing technological tools to ensure students thrive in a constantly changing world.

Believes in creating an inclusive school environment where every student feels welcome and their voices are heard. Plans to make Alamance Burlington School System a model for other school systems in North Carolina.

Believes in creating an inclusive school environment where every student feels welcome and their voices are heard.

Believes in diversifying community engagement by hosting events in neutral spaces to encourage inclusive participation.

- Believes success in education involves increased parental and community involvement, student advocacy, and stronger school relationships, and plans to make Alamance Burlington a preferred choice for education through inclusivity, innovation, and community collaboration.
- Believes in providing equitable access to diverse technological resources to support individual learning preferences.
- Believes equitable access to technology in education shapes the future and celebrates student individuality, and supports providing technological tools to ensure students thrive in a constantly changing world.
- Believes in creating an inclusive school environment where every student feels welcome and their voices are heard.
- Believes in diversifying community engagement by hosting events in neutral spaces to encourage inclusive participation.

Believes educators, including bus drivers, should feel valued and listened to. Supports a community-focused approach to elevate the school system.

Believes educators, including bus drivers, should feel valued and listened to, and supports a community-focused approach to elevate the school system.

- Believes educators, including bus drivers, should feel valued and listened to, and supports a community-focused approach to elevate the school system.

Believes integrating technology in education should enhance learning, recognizing that each student absorbs differently.

Believes integrating technology in education should enhance learning and cater to different learning styles. Supports engaging students with topics they are passionate about and using auditory methods for less interesting subjects to improve understanding and retention.

Supports engaging students with topics they are passionate about and using auditory methods for less interesting subjects to improve understanding and retention.

- Believes integrating technology in education should enhance learning, recognizing that each student absorbs differently.
- Supports engaging students with topics they are passionate about and using auditory methods for less interesting subjects to improve understanding and retention.

Believes that school safety includes addressing emotional and mental health. Supports integrating mental health professionals, guidance counselors, social workers, and school nurses to create a supportive atmosphere.

Believes that school safety includes addressing emotional and mental health, and supports integrating mental health professionals, guidance counselors, social workers, and school nurses to create a supportive atmosphere.

Believes in establishing a school safety task force with law enforcement, teachers, mental health professionals, and community members to ensure comprehensive safety and support for students.

Supports a holistic approach to school safety, including physical security measures and School Resource Officers (SROs) to foster positive relationships between students and law enforcement.

Believes addressing food insecurity is essential for student safety and wellbeing. Supports including food security in the overall safety plan to ensure no student goes hungry.

Believes addressing food insecurity is essential for student safety and wellbeing, and supports including food security in the overall safety plan to ensure no student goes hungry.

Believes addressing school safety requires a holistic approach that includes the well-being of every child. Supports physical security measures like safety cameras, automatic lock doors, and key fobs.

Supports physical security measures like safety cameras, automatic lock doors, and key fobs.

Believes parent involvement creates a supportive environment for students by bridging home and school communication. Supports teachers reaching out to parents to address student issues effectively.

Believes parent involvement creates a supportive environment for students by bridging home and school communication, and supports teachers reaching out to parents to address student issues effectively.

Believes in creating a support network around schools to showcase community opportunities and advocates for active parent and community participation in schools.

Believes in fostering a community-led approach to supporting educational institutions through active Parent-Teacher Organizations (PTOs). Supports creating an environment where parents and community members feel welcomed and valued, promoting student wellbeing and community pride.

Believes in fostering a community-led approach to supporting educational institutions through active Parent-Teacher Organizations (PTOs).

- Believes that school safety includes addressing emotional and mental health, and supports integrating mental health professionals, guidance counselors, social workers, and school nurses to create a supportive atmosphere.
- Believes in establishing a school safety task force with law enforcement, teachers, mental health professionals, and community members to ensure comprehensive safety and support for students.
- Supports a holistic approach to school safety, including physical security measures and School Resource Officers (SROs) to foster positive relationships between students and law enforcement.
- Believes addressing food insecurity is essential for student safety and wellbeing, and supports including food security in the overall safety plan to ensure no student goes hungry.
- Supports physical security measures like safety cameras, automatic lock doors, and key fobs.
- Believes parent involvement creates a supportive environment for students by bridging home and school communication, and supports teachers reaching out to parents to address student issues effectively.
- Believes in creating a support network around schools to showcase community opportunities and advocates for active parent and community participation in schools.
- Believes in fostering a community-led approach to supporting educational institutions through active Parent-Teacher Organizations (PTOs).

Instagram

Seneca Rogers

Tameka is from Burlington and attended East Alamance High School. She has 3 children. She volunteers at county schools. 

Tameka currently works as a customer service manager at Hobby Lobby and as a homeshop supervisor and lead at Harris Teeter. 

Tameka Harvey's campaign for member of Alamance County Board of Education is her first run for public office. 

Cardinal & Pine, VIDEO: Alamance County mom Tameka Harvey filed to run for school board

Wants to address local mold outbreak at County Schools.

- Wants to address local mold outbreak at County Schools.

As of May 31, 2025, Tameka Harvey’s website did not contain information on this issue.

WXII, Alamance-Burlington Schools battle 'budget crisis' following mold removal in schools

Promises to advocate for the rights of all students at Alamance County Schools.

Wants county residents to be involved in making decisions.

Wants to ensure school safety and security for children.

- Promises to advocate for the rights of all students at Alamance County Schools.
- Plans to prioritize children.
- Wants county residents to be involved in making decisions.
- Wants to ensure school safety and security for children.

Tameka Harvey

Tara earned a bachelor's degree in social sciences from Stony Brook University and a master's degree in curriculum and instruction from Grand Canyon University. 

Tara currently works as an inside sales associate at Johnstone Supply. She previously worked as a physical education teacher for the Alamance-Burlington and Orange County School Systems in North Carolina. She has also worked as a soccer and lacrosse coach.

Tara Raggett's campaign for Alamance County Board of Education Member is her first run for public office. 

As of May 31, 2025, Tara Raggett did not have a website or any information online.

Tara Raggett

- The Board of Education runs the public school system. They create policies that establish standards, accountability and evaluation of essential operations of the school system.
- The Board of Education member hires a superintendent and can remove them when necessary. The superintendent assists the Board of Education in implementing the board’s policies. 
- The Board of Education is charged with deciding the school budget. This means they decide how to allocate money between different services, such as teacher pay, repairing school facilities, or access to technology.
- Board of Education members are elected every four years. 

Alamance County Board of Education Member

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Alamance County Board of Education Member

Election results

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