Franklin County Republican Party, Tom Harris for School Board

Tom is married and is a parent and grandparent.

Tom Harris is a 30-year military veteran.

As of October 25, 2024, Tom Harris did not have a website or any information online.

Candidate website

Said, "I will focus on transparency and make sure taxpayer dollars are allocated toward programs and resources that directly benefit student achievement and school improvement, while cutting unnecessary and wasteful spending."

Wants transparency in funding and plans to cut "unnecessary and wasteful spending."

Supports investing in "high-quality, proven curriculum" and "successful programs that close achievement gaps."

Supports investing in "successful programs that close achievement gaps" and "supporting teachers with pay and professional development."

- Wants transparency in funding and plans to cut "unnecessary and wasteful spending."
- Supports investing in "successful programs that close achievement gaps" and "supporting teachers with pay and professional development."

School Facilities & Resources

As of June 14, 2024, Tom Harris’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Access to Education

Teachers

Supports education focusing on "the ability to read and write, understanding of science and history, math skills commensurate with job and life, manual skills to broaden the horizon for trades - and not on the liberal agendas so prevalent today."

Said, "I will ensure transparency in curriculum decisions and actively involve parents in shaping their children's educational experience."

Believes parents should have a greater role in setting curriculum and that decision-making should be transparent.

- Supports education focusing on "the ability to read and write, understanding of science and history, math skills commensurate with job and life, manual skills to broaden the horizon for trades - and not on the liberal agendas so prevalent today."
- Believes parents should have a greater role in setting curriculum and that decision-making should be transparent.

School Curriculum

Believes school safety is a top priority and plans to "work tirelessly to ensure Franklin County schools remain secure, preventing tragedies and dangerous situations before they ever occur."

- Believes school safety is a top priority and plans to "work tirelessly to ensure Franklin County schools remain secure, preventing tragedies and dangerous situations before they ever occur."

Student Wellbeing

Tom Harris

As of July 12, 2024, Tom Harris did not have a website or any information online.

Supports funding $7,400,000 for Vance-Granville Community College capital improvements.

As of June 14, 2024, Tom Harris did not have a website or any information online.

The candidate's website says, "An additional $100 million in recurring state funding to supplement teacher pay in 95 “low wealth” counties;"

The candidate's website says, "North Carolina's Department of Instruction is requesting $648K for Culturally Relevant (Critical Race Theory) training for K-12 teachers."

The candidate's website says, "The budget includes: An average of 5% to 6.7% pay raises over two years for state employees and teachers;"

The candidate's website says, "An average of 5% to 6.7% pay raises over two years for state employees and teachers;"

The candidate's website says, "State and teacher retiree COLA (cost-of-living adjustment) bonuses of 5%;"

Believes in offering bonuses of $1,000 to $2,850 for teachers. Supports addressing teacher pay, teacher shortages, and teacher training.

Believes that millions in Federal funding should be used to train teachers in Critical Race Theory and prioritize Social Emotional Learning (SEL). Criticizes SEL for using privacy surveys and psychiatric tests to create "equity" interventions.

Believes the NC Department of Instruction's plan to spend $648K on training teachers in Critical Race Theory is concerning. Opposes the use of Social Emotional Learning (SEL) as it involves privacy surveys and psychiatric tests to create "equity" interventions.

Opposes "Culturally Relevant programming" and all SEL programs in schools, rejecting control by the Biden administration.

Opposes Federal funding for Critical Race Theory and NCDPI's Child Spying Program.

The candidate's website says, "Texas Gov. Abbott Signs Bill Banning Critical Race Theory in Schools"

Believes parents should have more control over school curriculum.

Opposes "divisive Critical Race Theory (CRT)" and supports reinforcing students' rights in a constructive manner without division by skin color or ancestry.

Believes students should "learn how to think rather than memorize what a few adults want them to think."

Believes students should "learn how to think rather than memorize what a few adults want them to think." Opposes rigid curricula that limit critical thinking.

Believes poor communication due to masks in classrooms has led to a drop in students' test scores.

- Supports education focusing on "the ability to read and write, understanding of science and history, math skills commensurate with job and life, manual skills to broaden the horizon for trades - and not on the liberal agendas so prevalent today."

Opposes funding for the Panorama Survey, SEL Program, and Office of Equity Affairs, calling them "North Carolina's Child Spying Program." Believes funds should be redirected to learning loss programs and gifted student education.

Believes that wearing masks hinders students' understanding of teachers and limits their lunch time. Supports ending mask mandates in schools.

Believes the Board selectively follows science and ignores the harm to children. Supports making masks optional to protect the "whole child."

Believes parents know what’s best for their children’s safety and well-being.

The candidate's website says, "Parent upset after school survey asks 11-year-olds about sexual orientation - ABC11 Raleigh-Durham"

Twitter

Facebook

Tom Harris is a resident of Youngsville in Franklin County and is married to Amber Perry. They have children who attend Franklin County Schools. Specific details about where they attended school or what church they attend were not provided.

Tom Harris is a 29-year veteran of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department.

As of July 8, 2024, Tom Harris’s website did not contain information on this issue.

- 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. 