Candidates for the Granville County Board of Education hold varying views on topics such as teacher retention and school facilities.
The Butner-Creedmoor News posed a series of questions to school board candidates, and the answers from those who responded reflect the range of views held by the candidates. Not all candidates responded to the questions.
Vying for Granville Board of Education seats in District 2 are Helen D. Lindsey and Jacqueline Ulshafer. In District 3, Kathy Newton-Dunton faces Vicki Baker. District 4 will see April Shaeffer and Katrina Burton-Waters battle for the seat. District 7 has Gwen Russell and Taylor Frederick seeking that seat.
QUESTION: What should be the top three priorities for the school district in terms of facilities? Why?
NEWTON-DUNTON: I believe the top three priorities of the school district in terms of facilities should be: (1) ensuring that schools are safe, which sets a conducive environment for teaching, learning and thriving, (2) renovating or building new schools that bring 21st century technology, arts and culture to 21st century learners and, (3) investing in and/or creating applicable safe and brave spaces/suites for counselors and mental health professionals to serve students and staff.
QUESTION: How can the school board and the schools improve the process for seeking and responding to parent input?
NEWTON-DUNTON: Relationships! Relationships! Relationships! Conventional methods are no longer feasible. Therefore, we must explore innovative ways of cultivating relationships that leads to partnership with parents such as implementing community-based parent-teacher conferences, utilizing video conferencing to check in with parents and investing in students beyond the classroom such as supporting students in school and outside of school at community activities. I believe unconventional approaches mentioned above will cultivate and grow positive relationships between teachers and parents’ that results in greater parent input, which is essential for preparing children to thrive in a 21st century world. Additionally, the improvement of relationships, between teachers and parents, reduces undesired behavior and minimizes absenteeism.
QUESTION: What more should the school district be doing to improve teacher retention?
NEWTON-DUNTON: I believe teacher retention increases when teachers are: provided with competitive salaries, assisted with cultivating therapeutic relationships with school and community members, aided in building classroom resources, provided targeted/individualized training, afforded mental health days in order to recharge, afforded safe spaces to be honest without fear of retaliation. I believe every teacher should be treated as professionals with dignity and respect and rewarded by schools, stakeholders and parents for the gifts, talents, knowledge and passion they bring every child in Granville County Schools.
QUESTION: What is the one topic that relates to the school district that does not receive enough discussion?
NEWTON-DUNTON: I believe the one topic that does not receive enough discussion from the school district is the impact that poverty, homelessness, abuse, bullying and drugs are having on children’s ability to present and learn, which requires leaders to identify resources and interventions at earlier grades. If learning disabilities are not detected and addressed early, the frustration of being academically behind lends itself to negative behavior and eventually children dropping out of school. More conversation opens the door to more identified resources, interventions and prevention, if at all possible.
QUESTION: Why should you be elected to serve on the Board of Education?
NEWTON-DUNTON: I should be elected to serve on the Board of Education because I am a product of the great teachers and work of Granville County Schools so are my children. Not only am I a product of GCS, but I am also a former educator bringing many years of educational leadership in Granville County Public School System where I served as an Instructional Assistant in early years and a School Social Worker and Parent Education Coordinator before transitioning to ministerial work. I bring to this role if elected a passion for teachers, children and parents. I am one who believes in the essential work of bridging gaps whereby teachers can teach, and children can learn. I am an advocate for free and fair education for all children. I believe in accountability from all, accessibility to all, advocacy for all and affirmation of all.
Not only do I bring a passion for teaching and learning, but I also bring specialized knowledge, holding a Doctorate in Pastoral Care and Counseling from United Theological Seminary, Dayton, Ohio, Master of Education and Educational Leadership from Grand Canyon University, Phoenix, Arizona, Master of Divinity from Duke University Divinity School, Durham, and a Bachelor of Arts in sociology and psychology from Shaw University in Raleigh.
Board of Education District 4 – April Shaeffer and Katrina Burton Waters
QUESTION: What should be the top three priorities for the school district in terms of facilities? Why?
SHAEFFER: 1) Safety features – we need sally ports at every building entry and an SRO on every campus. Many of our schools are in need of perimeter fence protection, especially at our elementary schools. We need to protect our students and staff at all costs. 2) Repair and Maintenance of the buildings- we need to increase our maintenance staff so our work orders are completed in a timely manner. 3) Athletic Facilities- we need to improve our restroom facilities and athletic facilities to make them ADA compliant. We also need to make field improvements such as a higher spectator fence, new scoreboards, new equipment, etc.
BURTON-WATERS: Although we have had a major decline in enrollment we continue to operate 17 schools that are functioning under capacity. Strategies should be developed to maximize the use of buildings and reduce costs of maintaining building space that’s not being used.
Upkeep and renovation of facilities. Most of our buildings are 30 years or older and there is yearly maintenance.
Safety of our campuses. We have many campuses that have disconnected buildings with several entrance points and multiple individuals with keys. Safety and security is a major concern.
QUESTION: How can the school board and the schools improve the process for seeking and responding to parent input?
SHAEFFER: We need transparency on the school board and within the schools. Members of the board need to be engaged within the schools and not be afraid to voice their opinions and listen to concerns of the public. I believe GCPS has the talent and capability to create an app that can be utilized to answer questions as a form of communication.
BURTON WATERS: GCPS should seek to “Meet in the streets”. Many of the parents with whom we need to connect have had negative experiences with schools and are hesitant to come to the schools. Therefore, WE need to meet them where they are comfortable in their communities Offer non-traditional conference times such as before school and after school (on campus and off campus}. Implement School Connections where parents are educated and trained on how to advocate for their children while learning educational jargon and language so that they can be at the table when they show up.
QUESTION: What more should the school district be doing to improve teacher retention?
SHAEFFER: It all comes down to money and feeling supported. We need to pay our veteran teachers more than incoming teachers who are receiving a sign-on bonus. Not only would an increase in longevity pay benefit our teachers, we also need to back them when it comes to student disciplinary actions. Our teachers need to feel supported by the administration team and parents. If we have constant disciplinary disruptions from a student (not EC) then the student should lose their right to a free public education.
BURTON-WATERS: Approximately 40% of our students qualify for Free and/or Reduced Lunch which means they are considered low-wealth or “Children of Poverty”. The average teacher in the United States is a middle class White female, and with the teacher shortage we are hiring more Visiting International Faculty and Lateral teachers who do not have traditional training in education from a postsecondary four-year university program. In order to retain teachers once we get them we need to provide Professional Development grounded in theory such as Ruby Payne’s “Children of Poverty” and “Capturing Children’s Heart” so that they can relate to the students.
Teachers also need training in effective classroom management and student discipline
The district should also work with the community to provide incentives to teachers particularly those working in “high risk” schools
QUESTION: What is the one topic that relates to the school district that does not receive enough discussion?
SHAEFFER: Parent volunteerism. If we want to see the change, we as parents must be the change. I have served on the Tar River Elementary PTSO, Friends of Hawley and the South Granville Booster Club where the same parents are the volunteers. Charter schools place an emphasis on service hours in their policies and that is something we should consider. Imagine how great our schools would be if each GCPS parent/guardian volunteered 8 hours during the school year.
BURTON-WATERS: After COVID we are now experiencing an increase in the number of students who suffer from mental illness. Many of them lack the financial resources to get adequate care and therapy. Some of them actually refuse care. Things that need to be discussed are students who need behavior plans as well as 504s in place as interventions to help them be successful.
QUESTION: Why should you be elected to serve on the Board of Education?
SHAEFFER: am a boots on the ground: mom on a mission to improve GCPS. I have been inside of our dilapidated facilities and have seen the lack of attention to our athletic facilities. I have made improvements to our schools by reaching out to the community for support, I have written grants for our schools and I have personally painted areas of GC Hawley Middle School. I am a qualified candidate because I currently have 2 girls in GCPS and have firsthand knowledge of the education they are receiving and I see what is happening within the walls of our schools.
BURTON-WATERS: Being elected will allow me to actively assist in regenerating Granville County Schools. Thirty plus years as a classroom teacher gives me insight of what is needed to help students and teachers achieve success. Connections and relationships that I have made in our community enable me to help bridge the gap between parents and schools. Knowledge of our local culture and lifestyle helps me to initiate communication with parents, students and community. My life is dedicated to educating the whole child. I have a strong commitment in helping our community. As a lifelong educator, I am “Willing To Work To Improve Granville County Schools”.
Board of Education District 2 – Helen D. Lindsey and Jacqueline Ulshafer
QUESTION: What should be the top three priorities for the school district in terms of facilities? Why?
LINDSEY: To have well maintained schools is a top priority that will provide a comfortable environment for teaching and learning. This only can be achieved by having building maintenance on a schedule and monitored closely by an individual. Once repairs are needed, funds must be available to proceed with the needed work. This process and procedure will allow our schools to receive the needed repairs in a timely manner. Well maintained schools will attract families to our district with children, resulting in increased enrollment. The second priority in our district is school safety. With the climate that we now are experiencing throughout this country as it relates to school safety, safety for all is a top priority. Currently, we do not have metal detectors in all of our schools. It is imperative that funds are identified to make our schools safer for school personnel, students and parents. The last area of concern is the athletic facilities. Of the three high schools, we have one without a track. This is also the newest school in the southern end of the county. Good athletic facilities will attract students to our county, which will also increase our student enrollment.
QUESTION: How can the school board and the schools improve the process for seeking and responding to parent input?
LINDSEY: Parents are needed in the school system to support their child’s learning and build positive relationships with the administration and teachers. As a former educator in the district, and retired with over 30 years of experience, many efforts have been explored to invite and involve parents in their child’s learning over the years. The school board encourages parents to first seek answers to their questions at the school level, but if that does not yield favorable results, there is a person at the district level to handle parent concerns. If a meeting is required, it is highly recommended to schedule a meeting with the school administrator so that your concerns can be addressed. Schools can also place suggestion boxes in the school, and develop surveys to be completed during Parent Teacher Conferences. Parent Teacher Organizations are also a good source to hear parents’ concerns. The School Board members will be privileged to parent’s concerns from these two sources, and will support the schools in making changes that are viable, and may lead to school improvement. It is important to communicate to parents that their concerns are needed, respected and valued in our school system.
QUESTION: What more should the school district be doing to improve teacher retention?
LINDSEY: The school board has made a major shift by having teachers from another country to teach in our district. With this shift in hiring, the classrooms without a teacher have decreased tremendously for the 2023-2024 school year. Supporting teachers in the classroom, showing many deeds of appreciation, and providing a competitive supplement as compared to neighboring districts, will retain teachers in our county.
QUESTION: What is the one topic that relates to the school district that does not receive enough discussion?
LINDSEY: Granville County Schools have so many great things that we celebrate frequently, but the number of kindergartners who enter school not ready for learning is not discussed at the magnitude that it warrants. This is one of the reasons why teacher assistance is needed at the elementary level, as well as a vast number of support services. The classroom teacher needs support staff at this crucial level of a child’s learning. Extra funding, writing grants and initiating special programs are all needed to get students proficient in reading and math by the third grade. Educational support is needed over the summer when it is documented that students experience two months of learning loss in reading and math over the summer. This is referred to as “The Summer Slide,” but places many of our students even farther behind when schools open in the fall.
QUESTION: Why should you be elected to serve on the Board of Education?
LINDSEY: As a native of Granville County, I received my education from the public schools, and later obtained a Bachelors of Social Work Degree, Masters in Counseling, Masters in Administration and a doctorate in Educational Leadership. I spent three years at the Central Children’s Home of North Carolina as a Residential Counselor and Social Worker. My work experience in the Granville County Schools have afforded me the opportunity to work with students from elementary to the high school level, while performing duties as a School Social Worker, Guidance Counselor and Principal. I spent several years at Vance-Granville Community College as Coordinator of Student Support Services. I have served on many community boards whose main mission was to support citizens facing challenging times. So why should I be elected? I’m running on the platform of being “Experienced and Committed.” One year on the School Board provided me with School Board experience, and over thirty years as an educator enriched my work experience coupled with several advanced degrees. I feel that I’m the candidate ready and prepared to serve at the most volatile time in the history of our community. The commitment to serve on the School Board, grows out of the pride I have for this county, and the support that I yearn to extend to the children of the Granville County Public Schools. My roots are planted deep into the fabric of the Granville County Community, and good schools are needed for growth to continue. So what better way to make this happen than to serve on the local School Board? There is no better way; therefore, I ask the citizens in District 2 to cast their vote for the homegrown candidate that will keep the true needs of the children as a top priority.
Board of Education District 7 – Taylor Frederick and Gwen Russell
QUESTION: What should be the top three priorities for the school district in terms of facilities? Why?
RUSSELL: Our school facilities should receive frequent and adequate scheduled maintenance on all buildings so that the facilities are all up to code and are all energy efficient. All school facilities should be tested for mold and mildew and all mechanical systems and structures which may have contributed to the mold and mildew such as leaky roofs, cracked windows, and outdated HVAC systems should be replaced or repaired. Prioritizing these needs will enhance student safety and promote current and future savings.
QUESTION: How can the school board and the schools improve the process for seeking and responding to parent input?
RUSSELL: A Parent Advisory Board can be established for each school. The Boards would have one representative from each grade level for each school and provide feedback quarterly to the school board and schools about changes in the school, instructional programs, student activities, as well as help formulate strategies to improve parental involvement. They would complete an annual evaluation on their school, host a Parents Town Hall Event, and a Parent/Teacher/School Board Get Acquainted Event.
QUESTION: What more should the school district be doing to improve teacher retention?
RUSSELL: Granville County School District could improve teacher retention by making it a priority to create a mentally healthy workplace where teachers and administrators have a collaborative relationship which allows teachers to feel safe, heard and supported. Research indicates that a mentally and emotionally supported teacher is more productive, has fewer absences, and experiences greater longevity on the job. Hiring classroom assistants for Pre-K-3 teachers, and consistently, effectively handling student disciple problems may improve teacher retention and job satisfaction.
QUESTION: What is the one topic that relates to the school district that does not receive enough discussion?
RUSSELL: The mental health needs of students and teachers in public schools have not received the attention it deserves. Since the COVID-19 Pandemic, there has been a significant increase in students and teachers who experience stress and anxiety. This can have a profound effect on student achievement, motivation, and teacher retention. In 2023, the North Carolina General Assembly passed a school mental health law that requires schools to adopt plans which provide mental health training to teachers and to develop suicide risk referral protocols for students.
QUESTION: Why should you be elected to serve on the Board of Education?
RUSSELL: I am the best qualified candidate for District 7 because I’ve taught gifted, special needs, and regular students at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. I worked with the Department of Public Instruction as an Educational Consultant. My husband and I have 3 young adults who graduated from South Granville High School fully prepared for college. I know the challenges of being a working parent, and the challenges of being a teacher. As a retired educator, I have the time and expertise to help close the achievement gap, retain quality teachers, and improve parental involvement.
