Priorities & Vision
Continuing the U-Turn for New Hanover County Schools
In 2022, you elected me to be part of a solution. It was time to stop talking about the problems in our school system and start acting.
I ran as a political outsider, a mom, business owner, and grandmother, who promised to bring order to the chaos. Over the last term, we have begun a critical U-Turn for our district. We halted the decline, but the work is not finished.
To lock in these gains, we must re-elect responsible, sound-minded leaders who will protect the progress we have made.
1. Academic Excellence: Back to Basics
The Challenge
When I took office, proficiency rates were unacceptable despite significant state investment in education.
The Action
I made academic fundamentals my top priority and directed the superintendent to develop a plan to raise third-grade reading proficiency.
The Results
Reading scores increased from the mid-40s to the low-60s.
The Path Forward
We must continue stripping away distractions and focus on the core mission: reading, writing, math, civics, and history. We must teach children how to think, not what to think.
2. Fiscal Responsibility & Respect for Taxpayers
The Challenge
For too long, the budget lacked transparency and critical maintenance was deferred.
The Action
As Chair of the Finance, Capital, and Bond Committee, I insisted on clear budgeting and long-term planning. We built an understandable, balanced 2025 to 2026 budget and identified the true needs of our aging facilities.
The Path Forward
I will continue serving as a watchdog for your tax dollars, ensuring funding goes to safe classrooms and teacher support, not administrative bloat.
3. Parental Rights & Transparency
Parents are the primary educators of their children. Schools work best when parents are respected, informed, and heard.
I will continue reviewing board policies to remove barriers to transparency. Parents deserve to know exactly what is being taught, and they deserve a Board that listens, not one that pushes ideological agendas.
4. Safe & Civil Schools
Schools must be safe, disciplined environments where learning comes first.
My experience as a sworn Guardian ad Litem and my work with Boots on the Ground have shown me the challenges many of our students face.
We must maintain clear standards of conduct. Students cannot learn in chaos. I support School Resource Officers and policies that ensure bullying and violence are not tolerated.