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Chad is from Watauga County and attended Watauga High School. He has an associates degree in biblical studies from Andersonville Theological Seminary. Chad is married and has three children.

Chad works in mission & group travel sales for Wilcox World Travel and Tours/American Express. He is also a pastor at Chestnut Dale Baptist Church. He has worked as a travel manager for Samaritan's Purse, as a Firefighter and EMS instructor for Mayland Community College, and as a EMS captain and fire lieutenant for Cove Creek Fire Department. 

Chad Cole's campaign for Watauga County Board of Education Member is his first entry into politics. 

Candidate website

Believes there are numerous areas in Watauga County public schools needing increased funding, including educator salaries, free meals, school-sponsored field trips, fully funded nurses and SROs, improved trades class equipment, full-time receptionists, and athletic program support.

Supports increased funding for educator salaries, free meals, school-sponsored field trips, fully funded nurses and SROs, improved trades class equipment, full-time receptionists, and athletic program support.

- Supports increased funding for educator salaries, free meals, school-sponsored field trips, fully funded nurses and SROs, improved trades class equipment, full-time receptionists, and athletic program support.

School Facilities & Resources

Supports empowering parents to make educational decisions for their children, including access to school choice programs and opposing efforts to limit parental rights.

Supports SB 49, the "Parent’s Bill of Rights," believing it enhances parental involvement and communication in public schools.

Supports increasing public participation in Watauga’s schools by holding BOE meetings in various schools and live streaming them. Believes local businesses should focus more on supporting local students rather than the college.

Supports increasing public participation in Watauga’s schools by holding BOE meetings in various schools and live streaming them.

- Supports empowering parents to make educational decisions for their children, including access to school choice programs and opposing efforts to limit parental rights.
- Supports SB 49, the "Parent’s Bill of Rights," believing it enhances parental involvement and communication in public schools.
- Supports increasing public participation in Watauga’s schools by holding BOE meetings in various schools and live streaming them.

Access to Education

Believes retention is the biggest challenge due to low educator salaries and the affordable housing crisis. Supports faculty housing to help teachers establish roots in the community.

- Believes retention is the biggest challenge due to low educator salaries and the affordable housing crisis. Supports faculty housing to help teachers establish roots in the community.

Teachers

Believes in promoting innovative programs to develop students' critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity. Supports a comprehensive education that includes both academic and real-world skills to prepare students for a rapidly changing world.

Supports a comprehensive education that includes both academic and real-world skills to prepare students for a rapidly changing world.

Believes in "protecting our children from harmful and divisive ideologies" in school curricula. Supports upholding the nation’s founding principles in educational standards.

Believes in "protecting our children from harmful and divisive ideologies" in school curricula. 

- Supports a comprehensive education that includes both academic and real-world skills to prepare students for a rapidly changing world.
- Believes in "protecting our children from harmful and divisive ideologies" in school curricula. 

School Curriculum

Supports securing permanent funding for school nurses and SROs, and increasing local emergency services' involvement in schools to enhance safety and education.

Believes in prioritizing student well-being through programs addressing mental health, bullying, and extracurricular activities. Supports a well-rounded education that meets students' social and emotional needs.

Believes in prioritizing student well-being through programs addressing mental health, bullying, and extracurricular activities. 

Believes in prioritizing safety and security in schools, including training for active shooter response. Supports comprehensive student wellbeing initiatives, such as school safety measures and counseling services.

Believes in prioritizing safety and security in schools, including training for active shooter response. 

- Supports securing permanent funding for school nurses and SROs, and increasing local emergency services' involvement in schools to enhance safety and education.
- Believes in prioritizing student well-being through programs addressing mental health, bullying, and extracurricular activities. 
- Believes in prioritizing safety and security in schools, including training for active shooter response. 

Student Wellbeing

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Chad Cole

Believes the Watauga County Board of Commissioners and BOE work well together to fund school construction and maintenance. Plans for future projects like a new Hardin Park and major renovations to Parkway are already in progress.

Supports increasing funding for schools, improving teacher training and retention, and promoting policies that enhance student achievement.

Supports investing in schools to improve infrastructure, enhance technology, and promote extracurricular activities that foster physical fitness, teamwork, and leadership.

Believes every student deserves access to a high-quality education. Said, "I know firsthand the challenges that students and teachers face in our education system."

The candidate's website says, "5. Do you support or oppose all/none/some of the ‘Parent’s Bill of Rights’ enacted for public schools by the state legislature in August 2023 (SB 49)? Please explain."

Believes in ensuring students receive a robust education in civics, history, and economics to become informed and engaged citizens.

Believes education should focus on "building strong moral character, critical thinking, and academic excellence" in students.

The candidate's website says, "6. Do you support or oppose the “Moms for Liberty” organization and activities related to public schools? Please explain."

Supports focusing on trade skills and enhancing school security. Believes these measures are essential for the community.

- Believes in "protecting our children from harmful and divisive ideologies" in school curricula. 

Believes in protecting students from the opioid crisis. Supports school safety and counseling initiatives to enhance student wellbeing.

Believes in prioritizing school safety and enhancing counseling services to ensure a secure learning environment.

Supports retaining school nurses and resource officers through permanent funding, not grants, to ensure student wellbeing and safety.

Chad Cole was born and raised in Watauga County, where he still resides. He is a product of the Watauga County school system, having attended Cove Creek and Watauga High School (WHS). Chad is married and has three children, with one attending WHS, one at Cove Creek, and a toddler. There is no information provided about the church he attends.

Chad Cole is a former Fire and EMS instructor for North Carolina. He has 25 years of experience in emergency services, including roles as a firefighter and EMT.

As of July 8, 2024, Chad Cole’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. 