Ballot Pedia, Nikki M. Bascome

Said, "We are coming into a very tough budget year with our school district brought on by bad decisions in prior leadership. It will take many partners to work through it but we can pull together and get the job done."

Plans to increase access to resources to help families, staff, and students navigate policies and curriculums.

Plans to reference "NHCS Family Advisory Council recommendations, teacher voices, and student voices" in decision-making.

- Said, "We are coming into a very tough budget year with our school district brought on by bad decisions in prior leadership. It will take many partners to work through it but we can pull together and get the job done."
- Plans to increase access to resources to help families, staff, and students navigate policies and curriculums.
- Plans to reference "NHCS Family Advisory Council recommendations, teacher voices, and student voices" in decision-making.

School Facilities & Resources

Port City Daily, New Hanover County Primaries 2024: Nikki Bascome vies for board of education seat

Plans to foster communication between board members, staff, and families to ensure trust.

Supports separate flexible calendars for separate school districts to reflect individual community needs.

- Plans to foster communication between board members, staff, and families to ensure trust.
- Opposes redistricting.
- Supports separate flexible calendars for separate school districts to reflect individual community needs.

Access to Education

Said, "I will prioritize staff working directly with ALL of our children while keeping educational standards top priority."

- Said, "I will prioritize staff working directly with ALL of our children while keeping educational standards top priority."
- Plans to address understaffing.

Teachers

Candidate website

Believes in using age-appropriate practices and positive discipline techniques in school curriculums. Plans to ensure all educational materials comply with federal and state laws and meet developmental standards.

Believes parents should "have a say in their children's education."

- Believes in using age-appropriate practices and positive discipline techniques in school curriculums. Plans to ensure all educational materials comply with federal and state laws and meet developmental standards.
- Opposes political influence in schools.
- Believes parents should "have a say in their children's education."

School Curriculum

Believes expectations regarding student behavior should be set at the beginning of every school year and addressed with logical consequences should a student deviate from the set expectations.

- Believes expectations regarding student behavior should be set at the beginning of every school year and addressed with logical consequences should a student deviate from the set expectations.

Student Wellbeing

Facebook

Youtube

Nikki M. Bascome

Ballotpedia, David Perry

Believes neighborhood schools must have equal facilities, learning materials, and quality of instruction. Plans to restrict large private donations to specific schools and rotate teachers to ensure educational equality.

Believes local schools must have equal level facilities, learning materials, and quality of instruction. 

Believes the school system wastes taxpayer dollars on "unnecessary and frivolous expenditures" while neglecting essential improvements to teacher/staff pay and facilities. Plans to address these issues if elected to the New Hanover County Board of Education.

Believes the school system wastes taxpayer dollars on "unnecessary and frivolous expenditures" while neglecting essential improvements to teacher/staff pay and facilities. 

Believes the school district should utilize grants that positively impact education but avoid those with unnecessary initiatives and restrictive conditions.

Believes the school district should utilize grants that positively impact education but avoid those with unnecessary initiatives and "string attached..."

Believes many local politicians and school administrators mistakenly think budget money belongs to them. Said, "It’s our money, and we have only entrusted it to their budgets on the assumption that they will invest it properly."

Believes many local politicians and school administrators "are under the false impression..." that school budget money belongs to them. 

Believes the exponential population growth in New Hanover County necessitates immediate planning for its impact on school facilities and resources. Supports proactive measures to address the anticipated strain on the school district.

Wants to plan accordingly for County population growth, stating it is "continuing to increase exponentially."

Believes a "lack of transparency" makes it difficult to assess wasteful spending in the school district. Plans to highlight known examples of wasteful spending and provide updates through a Video Blog and Campaign Newsletter.

Believes a "lack of transparency" makes it difficult to examine "wasteful spending" in the school district.

- Believes local schools must have equal level facilities, learning materials, and quality of instruction. 
- Believes the school system wastes taxpayer dollars on "unnecessary and frivolous expenditures" while neglecting essential improvements to teacher/staff pay and facilities. 
- Believes the school district should utilize grants that positively impact education but avoid those with unnecessary initiatives and "string attached..."
- Believes many local politicians and school administrators "are under the false impression..." that school budget money belongs to them. 
- Wants to plan accordingly for County population growth, stating it is "continuing to increase exponentially."
- Believes a "lack of transparency" makes it difficult to examine "wasteful spending" in the school district.

Believes large corporations are using school funding to replace traditional classrooms with technology for profit. Said, "corporations behind these private grants stand to make billions of dollars when our teachers are replaced with technology purchased from them with our tax dollars."

Believes large corporations are using school funding to "replace...teacher-led classrooms with Articifical Intelligence and online computer learning." 

Believes education is "the great social equalizer" and essential for overcoming poverty. Supports guaranteeing every child the right to a publicly funded education.

Believes education is "the great social equalizer" and essential for overcoming poverty. 

Believes children do not have a "natural right to a publicly funded education" and distinguishes between natural rights and government-granted entitlements.

Believes children have a "right to learn" but not a "right to a publicly funded education". 

Believes all parents should have access to an independent advocate to ensure their rights and concerns are addressed without needing to hire an attorney.

Wants to implement an "Independent Parent Advocate" plan to provide parental access to an independent advocate to help address concerns without needing to hire an attorney.

Believes an informal IEP process would benefit every student in the school system. Supports implementing an "IEP for Every Student" program despite resource limitations.

Wants informal IEP process plans despite resource limitations, saying it "would benefit every student in the school system." 

Believes public education should prioritize individual student success over collective societal goals.

Believes local school boards should ensure "the highest quality education possible" without infringing on students' rights.

Believes local school boards should ensure "the highest quality education possible" so state taxpayers receive the "most bang for their buck".

Supports parental rights in education, including school choice, vouchers, and charter schools.

- Believes large corporations are using school funding to "replace...teacher-led classrooms with Articifical Intelligence and online computer learning." 
- Believes education is "the great social equalizer" and essential for overcoming poverty. 
- Believes children have a "right to learn" but not a "right to a publicly funded education". 
- Wants to implement an "Independent Parent Advocate" plan to provide parental access to an independent advocate to help address concerns without needing to hire an attorney.
- Wants informal IEP process plans despite resource limitations, saying it "would benefit every student in the school system." 
- Believes public education should prioritize individual student success over collective societal goals.
- Believes local school boards should ensure "the highest quality education possible" so state taxpayers receive the "most bang for their buck".
- Supports parent's rights. 

Believes in addressing teacher shortages and retention by creating a long-term bonus fund. Plans to reward educators who excel, using funds from the hospital sale endowment.

Wants to address teacher shortages and retention. 

Believes assessing teacher performance based on student achievement of individualized goals is best. Plans to push for "generous pay performance incentives" for effective teachers and staff.

Believes teacher assessments and staff performance should depend on student achievement based on their individualized goals, and wants such evaluations to determine salary increases. 

Believes it is fiscally irresponsible to give all teachers a big raise without considering performance. Supports teacher pay scales based on degrees and years of service, supplemented by local districts.

Said "While almost all teachers and...staff have good intentions, not all are great at what they do. It would be fiscally irresponsible to simply give them all a big raise."

Believes teachers are the "lifeblood of our education system" and supports improving teacher pay to address shortages and enhance training.

Supports efforts to hire and retain teachers. 

Believes teachers should not live in near poverty due to their career choice. Plans to address financial issues to prevent teacher shortages.

Believes teachers should not need "live in near poverty" due to their career choice.

Believes teacher recruitment should focus on merit rather than diversity initiatives. Opposes spending taxpayer dollars on DEI programs and positions within the school district.

Believes teacher recruitment should focus on merit rather than diversity initiatives. 

- Wants to address teacher shortages and retention. 
- Believes teacher assessments and staff performance should depend on student achievement based on their individualized goals, and wants such evaluations to determine salary increases. 
- Said "While almost all teachers and...staff have good intentions, not all are great at what they do. It would be fiscally irresponsible to simply give them all a big raise."
- Supports efforts to hire and retain teachers. 
- Believes teachers should not need "live in near poverty" due to their career choice.
- Believes teacher recruitment should focus on merit rather than diversity initiatives. 

Believes schools should focus on a traditional liberal arts curriculum, emphasizing science, math, language, literature, history, and social studies. Opposes turning schools into vocational training centers, suggesting such training be left to community colleges and technical schools.

Believes schools should focus on learning basic subjects, such as science, math, language, literature, history, and social studies, rather than turning schools "into vocational training centers."

Believes standardized tests fail to accurately measure student progress and lead to "teaching to the test." Supports individualized education plans to better assess student achievement and overall academic progress.

Wants to reduce the importance of standardized testing as a measure of student success.

Believes school libraries should contain "uncontroversial" and "age-appropriate" materials. Supports parents' rights to access controversial books at public libraries.

Opposes banning any book, but believes school libraries must contain "uncontroversial" and "age-appropriate" material. 

Believes teachers should send detailed syllabi to parents before the academic term and any revisions before they take effect. Supports transparency to allow parents to switch teachers or classes or opt-out of objectionable activities.

Believes teachers should send detailed syllabi to parents before the academic term and any revisions before they take effect to establish parent and teacher transparency and allow parents to have their child switch teachers or classes or opt-out of objectionable activities.

Believes students should learn "the entirety of U.S. history – the good, the bad, and the ugly." Said, "the Democratic Party... was the party of slavery and Jim Crow, and not the GOP."

Believes students should learn "the entirety of U.S. history – the good, the bad, and the ugly."

Believes schools should train students to be critical thinkers without coercion or indoctrination. Supports education focused on independent thinking about the future of the community and country.

Believes schools should train students to be critical thinkers without coercion or indoctrination. 

Believes improving education quality is essential but notes the challenge in defining and measuring it.

Wants to enhance education quality in the school district. 

Supports Individualized Education Plans (IEP) for students.

- Believes schools should focus on learning basic subjects, such as science, math, language, literature, history, and social studies, rather than turning schools "into vocational training centers."
- Wants to reduce the importance of standardized testing as a measure of student success.
- Opposes banning any book, but believes school libraries must contain "uncontroversial" and "age-appropriate" material. 
- Believes teachers should send detailed syllabi to parents before the academic term and any revisions before they take effect to establish parent and teacher transparency and allow parents to have their child switch teachers or classes or opt-out of objectionable activities.
- Believes students should learn "the entirety of U.S. history – the good, the bad, and the ugly."
- Believes schools should train students to be critical thinkers without coercion or indoctrination. 
- Wants to enhance education quality in the school district. 
- Supports Individualized Education Plans (IEP) for students.

Believes parents should have the right to address urgent concerns with school administrators and receive timely responses. Criticizes New Hanover County School District for its poor track record in handling student safety and wellbeing issues.

Believes parents should have the right to address urgent concerns with school administrators and receive timely responses. 

Opposes the school district's plan to monitor students' online activities 24/7, calling it a misuse of taxpayer money. Criticizes the implementation of Lighspeed AI software for tracking and profiling students.

Opposes the school district's plan to monitor students' online activities 24/7.

Believes out-of-school suspensions burden working families and lead to unsupervised students falling behind. Supports in-school suspensions to provide supervision and continued education.

Supports eliminating out-of-school suspensions saying it is a "burden on working families..."

Opposes affirming children's gender identity, calling it "a form of physical and/or emotional abuse." Supports treating children with gender dysphoria with "compassion and proper psychological care."

Opposes affirming children's gender identity, and believes "there is no such thing as a Trans Kid."

Believes student free speech and activism are crucial to education. Supports creating a safe environment that respects the 1st Amendment.

Wants to establish an environment allowing students to exercise free speech and activism.

Opposes the free breakfast program, calling it an "unsustainable socialist program," and urges the school board to explore alternative solutions for student hunger.

Opposes the free breakfast program, calling it an "unsustainable socialist program," and wants the school board to explore alternative solutions for student hunger.

Opposes mask mandates for students, believing they are uncomfortable, violate parental rights, and impede learning. Plans to oppose future mask mandates in the event of another pandemic.

Opposes mask mandates for students, believing they are uncomfortable, violate parental rights, and impede learning.

- Believes parents should have the right to address urgent concerns with school administrators and receive timely responses. 
- Opposes the school district's plan to monitor students' online activities 24/7.
- Supports eliminating out-of-school suspensions saying it is a "burden on working families..."
- Opposes affirming children's gender identity, and believes "there is no such thing as a Trans Kid."
- Wants to establish an environment allowing students to exercise free speech and activism.
- Opposes the free breakfast program, calling it an "unsustainable socialist program," and wants the school board to explore alternative solutions for student hunger.
- Opposes mask mandates for students, believing they are uncomfortable, violate parental rights, and impede learning.

David Perry

LinkedIn

Ballotpedia, Jerry Jones Jr. (New Hanover County Board of Education, North Carolina, candidate 2024)

Port City Daily, New Hanover County Primaries 2024: Jerry Jones runs for board of education seat

Wants to engage the greater community to help develop ideas and solutions.

Wants to prioritize recentering the board of education's viewpoints on district development.

Believes "New Hanover County is woefully behind..." on educational infrastructure investments.

Believes there are substantial delays in relaying "information from the board to the public."

- Wants to engage the greater community to help develop ideas and solutions.
- Wants to prioritize recentering the board of education's viewpoints on district development.
- Believes "New Hanover County is woefully behind..." on educational infrastructure investments.
- Believes there are substantial delays in relaying "information from the board to the public."

Supports adequate school district funding and staffing.

- Supports adequate school district funding and staffing.

Wants to include student and teacher input to make decisions.

Supports prioritizing positions that involve the most student contact.

Wants to "deprioritize administrative positions that add to our costs but don’t enhance the level of service provided to our students or to our school staff."

- Wants to include student and teacher input to make decisions.
- Supports prioritizing positions that involve the most student contact.
- Wants to "deprioritize administrative positions that add to our costs but don’t enhance the level of service provided to our students or to our school staff."
- Believes teachers are overworked.

Opposes the Board of Education's decision to dissolve the equity, diversity, and inclusion committee.

Supports teachers and parents discussing curriculum concerns.

Supports student accommodations for parental curriculum concerns for their child, but opposes allowing individual concerns to result in changing classroom material.

- Opposes the Board of Education's decision to dissolve the equity, diversity, and inclusion committee.
- Supports teachers and parents discussing curriculum concerns.
- Supports student accommodations for parental curriculum concerns for their child, but opposes allowing individual concerns to result in changing classroom material.

Wants to develop policies that support students and teachers that promote academic freedom and student safety regardless of background.

- Wants to develop policies that support students and teachers that promote academic freedom and student safety regardless of background.

Instagram

Jerry Jones, Jr.

New Hanover County Primaries 2024: Judy Justice seeks a seat on the board of education

Believes leadership is not working hard enough to secure millions in ESSER and Hospital Endowment funds for school resources.

Wants to address securing ESSER and Hospital Endowment funds for school resources.

Believes the district is in a financial crisis due to state budget cuts, increased living costs, pandemic impacts, and overcrowded facilities.

Plans to advocate for re-establishing the equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) committee on the school board.

- Wants to address securing ESSER and Hospital Endowment funds for school resources.
- Believes the district is in a financial crisis due to state budget cuts, increased living costs, pandemic impacts, and overcrowded facilities.
- Plans to advocate for re-establishing the equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) committee on the school board.

Believes that "increasing racial and economic segregation" is hindering equitable education opportunities for many students.

- Believes that "increasing racial and economic segregation" is hindering equitable education opportunities for many students.

Believes ineffective leadership is causing low staff morale and high employee turnover, negatively impacting student education.

Said, "Our staff morale has hit rock bottom as a result of the ineffective leadership coming from the top of our district."

Wants to address staffing issues concerning teachers, teaching assistants, and other staff members.

- Said, "Our staff morale has hit rock bottom as a result of the ineffective leadership coming from the top of our district."
- Wants to address staffing issues concerning teachers, teaching assistants, and other staff members.

The candidate's website says, "Provide quality education based on professional knowledge, now and into the future, for all students."

Plans to "provide quality education based on professional knowledge, now and into the future, for all students."

Opposes book bans and restrictions on history and government education.

- Plans to "provide quality education based on professional knowledge, now and into the future, for all students."
- Opposes book bans and restrictions on history and government education.

Supports fighting to protect and support students who have been victims of sexual abuse and racial discrimination by NHCS staff.

Wants to support students who have been victims of abuse and racial discrimination by NHCS staff.

Supports parental involvement in their children's education.

Believes in transparency and accountability to ensure student wellbeing. As a district leader, exposed decades of child sexual abuse with the help of brave individuals, media, and law enforcement.

As a district leader, exposed decades of child abuse with the help of various individuals, media, and law enforcement.

- Wants to support students who have been victims of abuse and racial discrimination by NHCS staff.
- Supports parental involvement in their children's education.
- As a district leader, exposed decades of child abuse with the help of various individuals, media, and law enforcement.

Twitter

Judy Justice

Ballotpedia, Natosha Tew

Port City Daily, New Hanover County Primaries 2024: Natosha Tew seeks board of education seat

Believes decisions on school closures should be made by the elected Board of Education, not staff, and involve public input.

Supports prioritizing the cleanliness and safety of current schools.

Supports increasing the presence of school resource officers.

Opposes implementing a code of ethics for the School Board or having additional meetings.

- Believes decisions on school closures should be made by the elected Board of Education, not staff, and involve public input.
- Supports prioritizing the cleanliness and safety of current schools.
- Supports increasing the presence of school resource officers.
- Opposes implementing a code of ethics for the School Board or having additional meetings.

Believes in prioritizing education and financial resources for North Carolina students and families. Plans to put "American Children and Families first in our K-12 schools."

Believes in promoting "parental rights and transparency" in education. Plans to restore trust and good governance in the county school board.

Believes in promoting "parental rights and transparency" in education.

- Believes in prioritizing education and financial resources for North Carolina students and families. Plans to put "American Children and Families first in our K-12 schools."
- Believes in promoting "parental rights and transparency" in education.

Believes in a merit-based system for hiring and promoting teachers to inspire excellence. Plans to create an environment where educators can thrive.

Supports eliminating all teacher duties which are not directly related to their respective subjects, including daily mental health check-ins with their students.

- Believes in a merit-based system for hiring and promoting teachers to inspire excellence. Plans to create an environment where educators can thrive.
- Supports eliminating all teacher duties which are not directly related to their respective subjects, including daily mental health check-ins with their students.

Opposes "divisive Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives" in schools, believing they distract from fostering academic excellence and preparing students for real-world success.

Opposes "divisive Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives" in schools.

Believes in prioritizing academic achievement and practical skills over "political indoctrination" and removing "radical Left Socialist elements" from the curriculum. Supports emphasizing civic and constitutional literacy to help students understand their roles as informed citizens.

Believes in removing "inappropriate and unsuitable materials" from schools and replacing them with "traditional and proven content." Supports ensuring all school content is age-appropriate and conducive to learning.

Opposes Critical Race Theory and plans to "root out DEI in our classrooms." Looks forward to partnering with Michele in Raleigh.

- Opposes "divisive Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives" in schools.
- Believes in prioritizing academic achievement and practical skills over "political indoctrination" and removing "radical Left Socialist elements" from the curriculum. Supports emphasizing civic and constitutional literacy to help students understand their roles as informed citizens.
- Believes in removing "inappropriate and unsuitable materials" from schools and replacing them with "traditional and proven content." Supports ensuring all school content is age-appropriate and conducive to learning.
- Opposes teaching on race and racism. 

Believes schools must return to basics for student success and ensure a safe, inviting environment. Supports implementing "real consequences" for actions compromising safety and well-being.

Supports banning cell phones from classrooms.

Opposes President Biden's Title IX revisions, which ensure transgender students can use their preferred name, pronouns, facilities, and  play in their respective sports. Says that "No child is born in the wrong body. Boys and girls are perfect as they are. Gender Ideology is a cult and has no place in schools."

- Believes schools must return to basics for student success and ensure a safe, inviting environment. Supports implementing "real consequences" for actions compromising safety and well-being.
- Supports banning cell phones from classrooms.
- Opposes President Biden's Title IX revisions, which ensure transgender students can use their preferred name, pronouns, facilities, and  play in their respective sports. Says that "No child is born in the wrong body. Boys and girls are perfect as they are. Gender Ideology is a cult and has no place in schools."

Natosha Tew

Ballot Pedia, Tim Merrick

Believes excellent public schools are essential for equal opportunity, democracy, and a strong economy. Supports safe, welcoming, and fully-funded schools that promote trust and respect professionalism.

Supports collaboration to ensure public schools leverage funding opportunities from The New Hanover County Endowment Board.

Believes in "realistically evaluating and responsibly implementing" renovation and construction needs for growing school communities. Supports addressing school facilities and resources through careful planning and execution.

Believes in "realistically evaluating and responsibly implementing" renovation and construction needs for growing school communities.

Believes school construction and renovation should prioritize safety. Supports securing school buildings with the latest technologies to prevent outside intruders.

Believes in the importance of funding for school maintenance, specifically to address lead contamination in water fountains. Said, "we're fortunate to receive the funding to remove lead pipes."

Plans to address lead contamination in water fountains. 

Believes the school board's most important role is managing the budget and giving direction to the Superintendent. Said, "I don't see them accomplishing this task with any level of agency."

Believes the School Board's most important role is managing the budget and giving direction to the Superintendent. Said, "I don't see them accomplishing this task with any level of agency."

Believes in prioritizing classroom spending for resources that directly impact students daily.

- Believes excellent public schools are essential for equal opportunity, democracy, and a strong economy. Supports safe, welcoming, and fully-funded schools that promote trust and respect professionalism.
- Supports collaboration to ensure public schools leverage funding opportunities from The New Hanover County Endowment Board.
- Believes in "realistically evaluating and responsibly implementing" renovation and construction needs for growing school communities.
- Believes school construction and renovation should prioritize safety. Supports securing school buildings with the latest technologies to prevent outside intruders.
- Plans to address lead contamination in water fountains. 
- Believes the School Board's most important role is managing the budget and giving direction to the Superintendent. Said, "I don't see them accomplishing this task with any level of agency."
- Believes in prioritizing classroom spending for resources that directly impact students daily.

Believes the literacy gap in schools is linked to socioeconomic and racial disparities. Supports addressing these disparities to improve educational outcomes.

Believes the School Board's focus on culture war policies is a distraction from educational disparities. Criticizes the political party for "leaving a lot of kids behind" despite their "No child left behind" slogan.

Believes the School Board's focus on "culture war" policies is a distraction from educational disparities. Criticizes the political party for "leaving a lot of kids behind" despite their "No child left behind" slogan.

- Believes the literacy gap in schools is linked to socioeconomic and racial disparities. Supports addressing these disparities to improve educational outcomes.
- Believes the School Board's focus on "culture war" policies is a distraction from educational disparities. Criticizes the political party for "leaving a lot of kids behind" despite their "No child left behind" slogan.

Believes teachers and staff must be treated better and paid a reasonable salary. Said, "many will still lose their jobs" due to budget issues, causing significant stress.

Believes in honoring teachers' expertise and granting them trust and flexibility. Supports sustainable solutions for fully funded classrooms.

Wants to honor teachers' expertise by granting them trust and flexibility. 

Believes educators deserve respect and autonomy to foster their growth and dedication. Supports quality-certified and licensed teachers to ensure meaningful student engagement.

Supports quality-certified and licensed teachers to ensure meaningful student engagement.

Believes teachers need "ample opportunity for review, training, and preparation" before implementing new curriculum or mandated programs. Supports addressing teacher pay and shortages to improve the education system.

Believes teachers need "ample opportunity for review, training, and preparation" before implementing new curriculum or mandated programs. 

Believes teacher shortages are critical, with over 15% quitting last year. Supports addressing teacher pay and training to combat this issue.

Views teacher shortages as critical, with over 15% quitting last year. Supports addressing teacher pay and training to combat this issue.

Believes that "hundreds of teachers and school employees are seeking employment elsewhere" due to uncertainty about job security. Said many have already resigned because they "don't know if they will have a job in September."

Believes in promoting quality learning by recruiting and retaining energized, certified, and licensed educators. Supports collaboration to address teacher pay, shortages, and training.

The candidate's website says, "Protect teachers' time to plan, grade, and collaborate with students and colleagues."

Supports professional empowerment for teachers, including better pay, addressing teacher shortages, and improving teacher training.

The candidate's website says, "Create a culture in which all educators feel respected, all students feel valued, and all parents feel heard."

- Believes teachers and staff must be treated better and paid a reasonable salary. Said, "many will still lose their jobs" due to budget issues, causing significant stress.
- Wants to honor teachers' expertise by granting them trust and flexibility. 
- Supports quality-certified and licensed teachers to ensure meaningful student engagement.
- Believes teachers need "ample opportunity for review, training, and preparation" before implementing new curriculum or mandated programs. 
- Views teacher shortages as critical, with over 15% quitting last year. Supports addressing teacher pay and training to combat this issue.

Tim Merrick

- 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. 

Member of the board that governs your county's public school system