All six Moore County Board of Education candidates took the same stage earlier this month to air their stances on everything from academics and absenteeism to hot-button topics like gender issues and whether the schools are appropriately instilling patriotic values. As a print subscriber, you also have unlimited digital access. Note that if you have to file an SEI, you do not have to disclose felony convictions under GS 163-106. In the last few years Moore County Schools student test scores have come under closer scrutiny. Another K-5 school on Camp Easter Road is under construction now, funded with a private bank loan. The sitting board recently revised it to state that all students will graduate equipped to become proud and successful citizens of the United States of America.. I do understand that we graduate great kids, and they have great careers, and they get great scholarships, but its not everybody. for 30 days, Free Moore County voters this month will eliminate one of the five Board of Education candidates running for two at-large seats in a race that could ultimately shift the boards voting dynamics. I think that school boards across the country have become flashpoints where Judeo-Christianity and Marxism are facing off toe-to-toe, and only one is going to win, said Benway. Open to all LES students, Raiders Savings Accounts will be offered to provide real life financial experiences and information to youth to nurture financially productive adults. Four candidates also filed Monday seeking one of two at-large seats on the school board: Ken Benway, Pauline Bruno, Robin Calcutt and Rollie Sampson. Both candidates shared similar perspectives on issues facing public education: from ballooning class sizes in fourth grade and up to Moore County Schools persistent problems running reliable bus routes. Moore County Board of Education candidates, from left: Pauline Bruno, Shannon Davis, Robin Calcutt, Rollie Sampson, Ken Benway and Pam Thompson, participated in a candidate forum at the Southern Pines VFW earlier this month. 15-501 South, Carthage, NC28327; 910-947-2976; 910-947-3011 [email protected] Calcutt, a Moore County native, worked for Moore County Schools for 34 years before retiring in 2018. The forum will begin at 7 p.m. on Thursday at the Pinehurst Village Hall. State level committees file reports with the NC State Board of Elections office. Ed Cashion was reelected as chair, Jamie Cashion was reelected as vice chair, and Greg Thompson was reelected as chair pro-tem. To that end, its his goal to reduce the number of students on each teachers roster. Unfortunately, with some of our students, we do not have that parental guidance, said Thompson. In the first meeting of the Moore County School Board since the August elections, all board members up for re-election retained their seats and the former chairs retained their roles. Policies of the League, which is nonpartisan, dictate that the group cant hold a forum without the majority of candidates. Leach, a Seven Lakes resident, did not respond to multiple requests by The Pilot for an interview. The school board has long since cut popular programs like International Baccalaureate at Pinecrest, Spanish immersion at West End Elementary, and year-round calendars at four elementary schools. "Lieutenant Governor Gilcrest recognized Vision to Learn as an important resource for providing students with access to glasses to support their academic success," Wheeler said. Bruno said that her primary concern is getting more students to grade-level faster, especially minority students. Since the 2020 election, many high-profile votes on issues like masking, Critical Race Theory and controversial library books have fallen 4-to-3, with the three newest members of the board opposed to the established majority. Sampson, until recently a Moore County Schools employee, said that the district is renewing efforts to enforce its attendance policies and that its easy even for high school parents to keep track of when their children have missed class. When it comes to improving students test scores, Sampson said that the solutions to those problems should be identified by teachers. Contributions to candidates, political parties, or political action committees may be received from: Known individuals from their personal funds (No joint contributions - must be from an individual), Registered political committees (which may only receive contributions from individuals from personal funds), From not-for-profit entities promoting social, educational, or political ideas and meeting other specific criteria. Ginni Thomas also texted Meadows about another friend who shared election fraud conspiracy theories, National Democratic Redistricting Committee, By MARY KATE MURPHY || mkmurphy@thepilot.com, 2023 9th Congressional District Convention. They need to know our history.. With the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic behind it, Moore County Schools is under pressure to make up for time . Libby Carter and Ed Dennison, who have served in the school boards at-large seats for seven and 12 years, respectively, are not running for re-election. Every person who is seeking elected office in the State of North Carolina and is a candidate for a statewide, legislative, judicial, county or municipal office becomes a candidate committee. A committee's status as a quarterly or semi-annual filer is determined by GS 163-278.9. Weve shifted our culture, and were trying to ensure that we have the right people in place to get the teachers what they need, said Thompson. We won't share it with anyone else. As the schools move through the process of building new schools, redistricting, and identifying new priorities, Damon Clark hopes to be serving on the school board as a liaison between the schools and the people they serve. There was a problem saving your notification. for 365 days, Election Features Three Seats for Moore County School Board. Bruno and Benway blamed lowered standards, the promotion of students to the next grade regardless of test scores, and the districts leadership for the districts lower-rated schools. It is on a back burner, it really is We need to remember that its simmering back there, because we really need it, said Carter. New schools to replace outdated and vulnerable campuses are integral to that effort. Sunny to partly cloudy. Bruno said that the schools should teach children how fortunate they are to be Americans. Spring has finally sprung and Lynchburg is ready to celebrate! The teacher is the best person to evaluate that student, but at the end theyve got to make the grade to graduate from high school.. Clark started with the district as a computer teacher at the Aberdeen schools. Calcutt holds a doctoral degree in education leadership and now teaches at St. Andrews University in Laurinburg, where shes chair of the education department. Your e-mail address will be used to confirm your account. I dont know that this changes much in terms of how we see our country at our schools, she said. With a new funding formula being introduced for next years budget, a boost in the total enrollment will mean more funding for Moore County. Thompson, Benway, Calcutt and Davis all said they would not. When school started in late August, the districts enrollment posted growth for the first time since 2014, when it peaked at nearly 12,900 students. 1 min read. Clark is also a parent with two children in the schools: one at Pinehurst Elementary and one a Pinecrest freshman. If we want our schools to be successful, then we have to step up and let everyone know that we want a culture that cares and wants to have the best education possible for the children of Moore County.. Winds WSW at 15 to 25 mph. Winners are in blue. When they get to sixth and seventh grade, they are drowning. Read More. But Benway said that in addition to the academic backslide, hes running because of a very clear ideological challenge thats played out in school board meetings across the nation over the last year or so. No more than two student assistants may be assigned to one voting place. Davis is opposing school board chair Pam Thompson on the November ballot. Crawford said that the League of Women Voters withdrew its sponsorship of the forum after conferring with the state-level organization. Other entities must disclose contributions or independent expenditures in excess of $100.00 by filing a statement at the appropriate Board of Elections. Students not on grade level by that point are more likely to remain behind for the remainder of their schooling. Jack Daniel Employee Credit Union partners with LES and 4-H for Raider Student Credit Union. Weve got to make sure that our teachers feel supported, that we continue to do good work, she said. The following year, she won another two years on the board in an election against Pam Thompson, who had also been appointed at the same time, when local legislation trimmed an at-large seat from the board. His three top priorities in running for re-election: school security, student achievement and fiscal responsibility. By partnering with Vision to Learn the motive is to help assist students with easier access to learning in the classroom. Allen cited the 25 percent turnout among Moore County voters for the primary election, and asked whether the schools do enough to teach civic literacy. Even student teachers, who were no longer allowed into the schools, had to pinch hit to put together packets to send home and help transition to virtual learning. I think we have absolutely great teachers here. Clark, a Richmond County native, worked for Moore County Schools for 21 years. . Pam Thompson, who has served two stints on the board, and retired Moore County Schools Police Chief Sammy McNeill are contesting the race to represent the northern end of the county in the boards District III seat. Sampson and Calcutt said that the grading system is not a fair reflection of school quality. The board was unanimous in approving the resolution. 175 W. New Hampshire Avenue | Southern Pines, NC 28387. Subscribe today and support local community journalism. Benway helps run two organizations dedicated to supporting veterans in pursuit of public office, and is now running his own first campaign. Ken Benway, Pauline Bruno, Robin Calcutt and Rollie Sampson are competing for the two at-large seats being vacated by Libby Carter and Ed. Were hoping its going to be us, certainly, on the Judeo-Christian side, because the trophy is the kids. If the committee does intend to go over the $1000.00 limit, an Organizational Report will be required detailing all account activity to date. Hes now commuting to Raleigh to work for the N.C. $10.17 Our people are not asking for fluff: theyre asking for what we need to do the job of educating our students.. ), Contributions received by a committee by an individual in excess of $50.00 in one election cycle requires full disclosure of the contributors information (name, address, job title, etc.). As a board member, Sampson pledged to thoroughly research matters that come before the board and listen to all perspectives before making a decision or even offering an opinion. I dont believe, in my opinion, that it really helps, she said. The certification is for an election cycle - year(s) preceding the election year and the election year. Please purchase a subscription to continue reading. Employees of JDECU will accept real money deposits on campus, allowing students to be introduced to concepts regarding personal savings, identifying needs vs. wants and goal setting relating to savings through the Raider Savings Club Account. Our best deal: Get all the news of Moore County delivered to your home each Wednesday and Sunday and receive unlimited digital access to thepilot.com. Its going to change the culture of Moore County when we get these four new elementary schools. Calcutt said that keeping the best teachers in the district requires a culture of respect for them as licensed professionals. The prediction was that we would go down this year, Carter said. My opinion, and this is what Im going to bring up, first through third grade, get rid of the computers, said Bruno. Even if there are facts that align with what I believe, I have a responsibility to leave my personal preferences outside of that board.. Candidate Shannon Davis (Nonpartisan) Pam Thompson (Nonpartisan) Incumbency information for this election was not available. There are six candidates running for three open seats. Calcutt went on to become a lead teacher for instructional technology at Union Pines, a forerunner of todays digital integration facilitators. There are four newcomers running for the boards two at-large seats: Ken Benway, Pauline Bruno, Robin Calcutt and Rollie Sampson. Carter started teaching in Davidson County in 1975 and went on to establish Pinecrests powerhouse speech and debate team. Davis went further and said that LGBTQ youth should be encouraged to turn away from that lifestyle., I understand that there is a struggle within our community and within our nation with the LGBTQ movement and others that struggle with different things, she said. Get unlimited digital access and support award-winning local journalism,for just 9.50 +tax a month. Your e-mail address will be used to confirm your account. November 2, 2021. They also endorsed the districts current campaign of appealing to families to take a more active role in ensuring their child gets to school or boards the bus each morning. The Board will hold a meeting(s) on: View past meetings on YouTube Public Comment Policy; NO VOTER ID REQUIRED. That left Thursdays forum to go forward with Calcutt and Sampson. Low 42F. When it comes to keeping kids safe, its worth the effort to me, and I believe theres a lot more we could do.. As a print subscriber, you also have unlimited digital access. Prosecution and civil action are barred if the committee or entity complies with the opinion of the Executive Secretary-Director of the State Board of Elections. 163-106(b). And Ill tell you, if America goes down, the whole world goes down. Oct 25, 2022. Offices whose candidates must comply: The Following Public Servants G.S. Dennison, who retired from the Navy to spend several decades in the business world, is running for his third term on the board. Invalid password or account does not exist. I do recognize and appreciate the county commissioners and their role, but I believe that if were going to have the Moore County that we want, we have to be fully funded with our budget, said Calcutt. Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in. Schools grades are based largely on a single test, and weight performance heavily over how much students have improved over the year. As the four elementary school construction projects get underway, the board will likely have some reckoning to do when it revisits its capital priorities in the next few years. Contents cannot be reproduced or used without express written consent of the publisher. The current president of the women's club, Pauline Bruno, is offering herself up as a grassroots candidate for Moore County School Board in the next round of elections.
moore county school board candidates 2021