NC superintendent race could be a 2024 bright spot

The News&Observer - Candidate for NC superintendent, Democrat Kenon Crumble, answers our questions

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Supports integrating modern technology into education, including high-speed internet, advanced computing devices, and smart classroom technology.

Plans to allocate 10-15% of his remedial plan to updating educational technology and school infrastructure.

Supports "sustainable practices and green technologies in schools, promoting environmental stewardship and reducing operational costs."

Plans to conduct a state-wide audit of educational facilities to assess their safety and opportunities for growth, focusing on modern fire safety systems, secure entry points, and ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliance, and to encourage community involvement in the process of updating these facilities.

Plans to "establish a system for regular maintenance and upkeep of educational facilities."

Promises to "secure funding through state budgets and explore federal grants specifically allocated for early childhood education."

- Supports integrating modern technology into education, including high-speed internet, advanced computing devices, and smart classroom technology.
- Plans to allocate 10-15% of his remedial plan to updating educational technology and school infrastructure.
- Supports "sustainable practices and green technologies in schools, promoting environmental stewardship and reducing operational costs."
- Plans to conduct a state-wide audit of educational facilities to assess their safety and opportunities for growth, focusing on modern fire safety systems, secure entry points, and ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliance, and to encourage community involvement in the process of updating these facilities.
- Plans to "establish a system for regular maintenance and upkeep of educational facilities."
- Promises to "secure funding through state budgets and explore federal grants specifically allocated for early childhood education."

School Facilities & Resources

Supports pre-kindergarten curriculum that focuses on early literacy, numerical fluency, physical development, and social skills, as well as emphasizes diversity and inclusivity.

Said, "To tackle the learning losses from the pandemic, it is essential to develop focused and adaptive strategies... Programs that concentrate on key areas like reading and math... can address critical skill gaps. Tailoring these initiatives to each student’s unique needs... will ensure the right support is provided."

- Supports pre-kindergarten curriculum that focuses on early literacy, numerical fluency, physical development, and social skills, as well as emphasizes diversity and inclusivity.
- Said, "To tackle the learning losses from the pandemic, it is essential to develop focused and adaptive strategies... Programs that concentrate on key areas like reading and math... can address critical skill gaps. Tailoring these initiatives to each student’s unique needs... will ensure the right support is provided."

School Curriculum

Plans to allocate 20-25% of his remedial plan to special education and at-risk programs, students with disabilities, english as a second language learners, and economically disadvantaged students.

- Plans to allocate 20-25% of his remedial plan to special education and at-risk programs, students with disabilities, english as a second language learners, and economically disadvantaged students.

Student Wellbeing

Plans to allocate 15-20% of his remedial plan to recruiting, retaining, and training teachers.

Promises to "conduct a comparative analysis of teacher salaries to establish competitive pay scales... implement a plan for annual salary increases... [and] provide additional compensation for teachers who attain higher degrees or specialized certifications."

Plans to invest in the mental and physical health of teachers by improving  health insurance and retirement plans available to teachers, increasing access to mental health services, stress management workshops, and fitness facilities.

Supports clear opportunities for teacher professional development through conferences and further education, clear plans for teachers seeking leadership roles or specialized teaching positions, and mentorship programs.

Wants to "reduce class sizes to allow for more individualized attention and a manageable workload for teachers."

Plans to advocate for increased funding for education, the implementation of policies that favor teachers, and start public campaigns to emphasize the importance of investing in teachers and education.

- Plans to allocate 15-20% of his remedial plan to recruiting, retaining, and training teachers.
- Promises to "conduct a comparative analysis of teacher salaries to establish competitive pay scales... implement a plan for annual salary increases... [and] provide additional compensation for teachers who attain higher degrees or specialized certifications."
- Plans to invest in the mental and physical health of teachers by improving  health insurance and retirement plans available to teachers, increasing access to mental health services, stress management workshops, and fitness facilities.
- Supports clear opportunities for teacher professional development through conferences and further education, clear plans for teachers seeking leadership roles or specialized teaching positions, and mentorship programs.
- Wants to "reduce class sizes to allow for more individualized attention and a manageable workload for teachers."
- Plans to advocate for increased funding for education, the implementation of policies that favor teachers, and start public campaigns to emphasize the importance of investing in teachers and education.

Teachers

Promises to "ensure every child in North Carolina has access to high-quality pre-kindergarten education programs, regardless of their family's socio-economic status."

Plans to create a "remedial plan" to allocate 30-40% of funds to historically underfunded schools.

- Promises to "ensure every child in North Carolina has access to high-quality pre-kindergarten education programs, regardless of their family's socio-economic status."
- Plans to create a "remedial plan" to allocate 30-40% of funds to historically underfunded schools.

Access to Education

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Kenon Crumble

As of January 31, 2024, C.R. Katie Eddings’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Believes emotional and mental health professionals should be available in all schools.

- Believes emotional and mental health professionals should be available in all schools.

Stated, "We need to offer competitive salaries, reinstate lost benefits and treat teachers as professionals."

- Stated, "We need to offer competitive salaries, reinstate lost benefits and treat teachers as professionals."

C.R. Katie Eddings

Supports Governor Cooper's proposed school funding plan, specifically funding for pre-k education and rural youth apprenticeships, an 8.5% raise for teachers, and over $1 billion in school construction bonds.

Plans to "invest fully in public education."

- Supports Governor Cooper's proposed school funding plan, specifically funding for pre-k education and rural youth apprenticeships, an 8.5% raise for teachers, and over $1 billion in school construction bonds.
- Plans to "invest fully in public education."

Ballotpedia, Mo Green

Said, "[My] vision centers around preparing each student for whatever is next for them once they graduate from high school. My vision also includes character development."

- Said, "[My] vision centers around preparing each student for whatever is next for them once they graduate from high school. My vision also includes character development."

Hopes to "ensure safe, secure learning environments."

- Hopes to "ensure safe, secure learning environments."

Opposes school vouchers and said, "It’s the wrong choice to give out an additional $500 million in state money to taxpayer-funded private school vouchers for the wealthy, especially when our public schools are woefully underfunded and our educators deserve to be paid substantially more."

- Opposes school vouchers and said, "It’s the wrong choice to give out an additional $500 million in state money to taxpayer-funded private school vouchers for the wealthy, especially when our public schools are woefully underfunded and our educators deserve to be paid substantially more."

Maurice (Mo) Green

- The Superintendent of Public Instruction is secretary and chief administrative officer of the State Board of Education. They oversee the public school systems of the state.
- The Superintendent of Public Instruction, along with the State Board of Education, make up the leadership of the Department of Public Instruction, which is responsible for implementing the state's public school laws for pre-K through 12th-grade public schools. 
- The Department of Public Instruction administers annual state and federal public school funds. They administer $11 billion and license about 117,000 teachers and administrators who serve public schools.
- The Superintendent makes sure local school systems run effectively. They appoint a local superintendent to serve on the State Board and advise on local issues.
- The Superintendent of Public Instruction is elected for a four-year term, with no term limits.