December 02nd, 2023

What do the next steps look like?

I have been asked by so many of you, "What's next?".  The what's next for me is that I keep going, keep showing up, stay involved and push forward every platform issue I offered you this past election. 

I said YES to the Bonds!

I am extremely glad the bond referendum passed and I want to start bringing vital information about the bonds to the community.  A little known fact is that CMS has a committee called the Bond Oversight Committee which I've had the privilege of serving on since 2019.  The purpose of this committee is to review each bond package and to ensure that as funding is allocated by the county, our school district is completing projects accordingly.  I want to make sure that the next time we have a bond referendum, you are informed and able to understand every aspect of bond related projects.  

​Community Schools Model
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Next steps look like the continued exploration and advancement of the Community Schools Model.  Since 2021, the organization I started (The Charlotte Community Think Tank), under my leadership has been partnering with Communities in Schools.  Both organizations are exploring the model in two CMS Schools - Hidden Valley Elementary and Martin Luther King Middle School with grant funds from the Belk Foundation and The United Way of Greater Charlotte.  We hope our efforts will lead to several full implementations

There are still some policies that need to be strengthened in order to bring this phenomenal framework to CMS.  I'll continue to work with the school board to achieve this goal.

​Advocate for Standard Disciplinary Interventions
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On the campaign trail you heard me talk about Restorative Justice Practices.  I believe in restorative justice and the promise it holds for schools and our community.  I want to move it forward but I learned something new in the process of supporting RJP.  I learned how many parents do not understand what interventions are in place in the schools currently.  This poses an even bigger issue.  My plan is to dive deep and raise questions about what the interventions are, are they consistent, and are they proactive vs. reactive.  Are we sending children through processes that criminalize behavior?  These are questions I really have to answer before pursuing RJV.  I think you understand the point.
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Advance Arts & Enrichment
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​Due to high stakes testing, we have doubled down on becoming a community hyper focused on academics and less attuned to the social emotional needs of children.  Arts and enrichment move children forward academically and provide more well rounded students.  I hope to be appointed to a board to make an impact.  I will work with the equity committee to bring consistency to schools that need it the most. I will press for more equity and identify solutions.

Decentralize Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

This is the one platform issue that I believe I will have very little impact on without being on the board.  However, I'll continue to advocate for this because I believe it will move equity, advance students, and lead to more accountability.

​After the election, I learned so much more than I already knew, and I am so grateful for the experience.  I promise to remain active just as I have been faithfully since 2016. 

I plan to run for District 2 School Board in 2025!  I hope to receive your support now and moving forward.

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