Three at-large seats on the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education are up for election on Nov. 8. None of the incumbents are running and there are 14 candidates for the three seats. We have asked each candidate to provide information about themselves. Below are profiles for the candidates who have responded.
Larry Bumgarner
Why would you like to serve on the Board of Education? To provide choice from the public schools to quality charter schools for all students in all neighborhoods. With competition to public institutions and having an excellent charter school in every challenged neighborhood, we can make the goal of choice and education no longer just a dream, but a reality for those who want the best for all children. A recent study, which can be seen at www.WestCharlotte.com shows just what we have been saying all along.
Occupation: Retired business owner after selling my company to my employees. I have been volunteering in the challenged communities and schools for the last ten years.
Education: Bachelors in Business Admin. from UNC Charlotte
Do you have children in CMS? None of our own, but hundreds I have mentored and we have supported in their careers paths.
Contact information:
9201 Morgan Glenn Drive
Mint Hill, NC. 28227
704.919.1230
Larry@Deconsolidate.com
Larry@ThankYouTeachers.com
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Elyse Dashew
Why would you like to serve on the Board of Education? Our school system is the bedrock of our community. I am passionate about bringing people together to plug into solutions that will strengthen our school system and improve opportunity for all children, because our community’s well being – our region’s prosperity – depends upon this.
As an advocate for public education, I have worked collaboratively with people of many different backgrounds and worldviews. I have brought people around the table to find common ground and take action together on solutions. I believe that I can make a greater difference by bringing this approach to the school board.
I am committed to listening first, to leading thoughtfully and respectfully, and to building strong partnerships to find the best solutions for our children and CMS.
Occupation: Currently: Community Volunteer and Education Advocate
Prior employment: Chief Operating Officer of Beowulf, Inc (a publishing company).
Education: Brown University, BA
Do you have children in CMS? Yes, I have two children in CMS, a daughter in the eigth grade and a son in the third grade.
Contact information:
704-659-1029
DashewforSchoolBoard@gmail.com
http://dashewforschoolboard.com/
Facebook/Twitter: DashewforSchoolBoard/ElyseDashew
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Ericka Ellis-Stewart
Why would you like to serve on the Board of Education? I am running for office because our school district is facing a number of challenges that require commitment and great leadership in the boardroom. As a non-profit executive, education advocate and CMS parent, I have spent the last 17 years working to improve the lives of children and families in Charlotte. I have served within our schools working to improve student achievement and rallying parents to get engaged in educational issues. I am clear about the need to close the achievement gap and my top priority is to ensure that all students have access to a quality education that prepares them to become productive citizens.
In addition to my work with CMS, I have served on a number of local boards, committees and task forces. My desire to run for school board is an extension of my continued desire to serve this community. I am committed to improving the quality of our public school system and realize that serving as a policy maker is one of the most direct ways to make a difference.
Occupation: I work in the Belk College of Business at UNC Charlotte as a member of the External Relations team. Prior to working for the University, I served as the Executive Director of two local non-profit organizations, Right Moves for Youth, a drop-out prevention agency and the Johnston YMCA. Prior to these posts, I worked for Hands On Charlotte and the National Conference of Christians & Jews (NCCJ).
Throughout my professional career and volunteer efforts, I have worked alongside others to create positive change for Charlotte. My work included creating prevention-based programs for at-risk children, working to bring our diverse community together, managing annual operating and capital budgets, fundraising, and building effective public/private partnerships.
Education & Certifications: Bachelor of Arts - QUEENS COLLEGE - Charlotte, NC
Six Sigma Green Belt, BANK OF AMERICA TRAINING CENTER
Business Essential Certification, WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY – Charlotte Campus
Clifton Strength Finder Coach Certification, GALLUP ORGANIZATION - Gallup University
Principles & Practices, Budgeting/Fiscal Management and Volunteerism, YMCA OF THE USA
Entrepreneurship Series, INSTITUTE FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP – CENTRAL PIEDMONT COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Do you have children in CMS? Yes, I have been an active CMS parent for the past 12 years. My children have attended the following schools in CMS: Billingsville Montessori, Highland Mill Montessori, Piedmont Open/IB and Harding University High School.
Contact information:
MAILING ADDRESS: Committee to Elect Ericka Ellis-Stewart
Post Office Box 481124
Charlotte, NC 28269
Website: www.ericka4cmsboard.com
Twitter: Ericka4CMSBoard
Facebook: Ericka Ellis-Stewart, Advocate for Education
Email: Ericka4CMSBoard@yahoo.com
Phone: 980-229-0338
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Lisa Hundley
Lisa Hundley withdrew from the race on Oct. 6 citing health reasons.
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Keith Hurley
Why would you like to serve on the Board of Education? I feel that there is a need for quality and dedicated new leadership. My professional background as a leader with a national bank and billion dollar manager of budgets providers accountability. My parents were teachers and administrators with over 70 years of experience which I have witnessed their dedication to public education. I feel our teachers are our greatest resource in the CMS System. My dedication and focus are second to none in my 25 year career as a professional.
Occupation: Professional banker and retired professional marathon runner
Education: State University of Monticello New York
Do you have children in CMS? Yes, I have three wonderful children in CMS district, twins that are seven and a 10-year-old daughter.
Contact information:
(704) 534-8344
kwhurley7@gmail.com
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Mary McCray
Why would you like to serve on the Board of Education? I want to be on the school board because I care about children and their parents, I care about educators in this district and I care about the future of CMS to attract and retain the best and brightest. I want to help mend the fences that have been broken in our community, to restore trust and integrity where it's needed. I want to make sure that we continue the good things that happened under Dr. Gorman's leadership and I want to help the Board of Education as well as the interim and future superintendent understand that our students, parents, teachers, staff, and our community deserve to be treated with respect and sincerity when decisions are made that affect their well-being. The future of my family and every other family is invested in what happens as CMS moves forward without Dr. Gorman. My grandchildren currently attend CMS schools and my daughter is vested in CMS as a teacher. As the former president of CMAE, I've investigated the erosion of trust and extinction of teacher/ staff morale within the CMS family. I believe that if we are to go gforward in providing quality public school education for every child here in CMS, we've got to repair the bridges.
Occupation: Retired Teacher
Education: B.S. in Elementary Education
North Carolina A&T State University
Do you have children in CMS?: I had a 2009 graduate from East Mecklenburg High School and currently have a grandson in 2nd grade.
Contact Information:
ElectMaryMcCrayBOE@yahoo.com
704-281-6074
http://marymccrayforschoolboard.webs.com
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Tim Morgan
Why would you like to serve on the Board of Education? As an at-large Board member, I want to address the following three issues:
Hire a new superintendent who will work with the Board to build on, and continue, our forward academic progress.
Provide a safe and effective learning environment for our students at every school. This includes making sure we have an effective teacher in every classroom and a well trained principal in every school. We need to identify and reward strong teachers and we need to expand our professional development offerings so all teachers can improve their performance in the classroom.
Utilize our resources more efficiently. Our Weighted Student Staffing and Strategic Staffing programs allow us to direct extra funding to the students who need additional resources to be successful. For the first time in the history of CMS, we have appointed a privatization committee that will study various cost-saving measures and outsourcing opportunities.
Occupation: Board of Education - District 6 Representative
Education: Master of Public Administration - UNC Chapel Hill
Bachelor Degree in Political Science - Appalachian State University
Graduate of Independence High School
Do you have children in CMS? Son (Taylor) is a senior at Ardrey Kell High School
Daughter (Bryce) is a junior at Ardrey Kell High School
Contact information:
Cell Phone: 704-577-3102
Webpage: www.morganforschoolboard.net
Email: timmorgancms@gmail.com
Campaign Address: 604 Eagleton Drive, Suite A, Pineville, NC 28134
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Ken Nelson
Why would you like to serve on the Board of Education? I would like to serve on the Board because I feel it is important that my knowledge, experience, and project management skill set is represented. It is imperative that every child who walks through the door at any CMS school receives a quality education. Unfortunately, many on the Board currently forget that this is about the children of our community and not about their personal gains. It's time we elect people who wish to serve who do not have ties to outside influences. I also feel we need to move away from standardized testing, and give our classrooms back to our teachers. We need to take power away from central office and from "foundations" and give it back to principals and teachers. We also need to come up with a neighborhood assignment plan that makes sense, and puts the school as a center of attention for the neighborhood.
Occupation: Technical Business Analyst, Keane, Inc.
Do you have children in CMS? No child in CMS yet, one daughter, Ashlyn, age 3
Contact information:
Phone: 704-364-4657
Cell: 919-818-9248
Email: knelsud92@yahoo.com
Website: www.kenwnelson.com
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Hans Plotseneder
Why would you like to serve on the Board of Education? I am at a point in my life where I can serve my community, not needing to be focused on my career, and my 20 years in business with IBM and Bank of America plus 11 years of teaching at CMS bring together the experience, insight, and knowledge and the desire to make a difference.
Occupation: Teacher with CMS at West Mecklenburg High School
Education: Master degree in School Administration from UNCC
Master degree in Business Administration from University of Vienna, Austria
PhD in Social and Economic Sciences from Johannes Keppler University, Linz, Austria
North Carolina Licenses for Principal K-12 and Curriculum Specialist
Author and editor of several books in the field of education
Do you have children in CMS? Four children graduated from CMS schools, two grandchildren are scheduled to attend CMS schools
Contact information:
Website: www.DrPlots.com
Email: DrPlots@DrPlots.com
Phone: 704-906-2900
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Aaron Pomis
Why do you want to serve on the Board of Education? I am running for school board because, as an educator, I believe that we can do a better job fulfilling our promises to children. As a teacher, administrator, and board member for the past ten years in our most high need schools with our most at-risk students, I have seen the amazing things our children can do when we adults get it right. And after the first day in my classroom – when a student wondered if I was just all talk – I vowed to not just make promises to my students, but to live those promises to children every day, through my relentless pursuit of their learning. Every action I have taken since that moment a decade ago has been driven by one belief – the children in our community can learn and want to learn. It is up to us, the adults, to give them the opportunity.
But to give our students the opportunity to attain a great education, I have learned that we need to:
1. Give our students what they need to succeed by giving our teachers and principals what they need to succeed. When I was given a 7th grade textbook and a 7th grade curriculum for my 7th grade students reading on a 4th grade level, I was introduced to the gap between the resources and needs for too many of our students. We need to provide our teachers and principals with the right training, support, professional development, and resources to give our students what they each need to be successful.
2. Create a focused and strategic budget, that puts our money toward what works for students. When I was board chair of a local school, I dealt with the budget crisis by listening to educators and turning their instructional priorities into our budget priorities. In one year we raised our math scores by 20 percent and had a budget surplus, weathering the economic storm by going line by line through budget to ensure each dollar was spent on what works best for students.
3. Build strong community partnerships to ensure our entire community is pushing in one direction, for our students. As a decentralized school board representative in my hometown, I spearheaded a public-private partnership with neighborhood groups, community center, local business, and our city council office to overcome the bureaucracy and beautify our school grounds, rebuild our playground, provide leased parking for residents and businesses, and bring in over $200,000 is income to our school each year. Our students do best when they have the entire community standing behind them.
It’s easy to make promises, but I have been living these promises for the last decade, and ask for your vote to continue to live these promises for the next four years and beyond.
Occupation: Dean of Instruction at KIPP Charlotte
Education: BS in Chemistry from the University of Illinois at Urbana
Do you have children in CMS? My wife and I are expecting our first in December, and our little boy will be slated to go to Walter G. Byers Elementary School.
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Darrin L. Rankin
Why would you like to serve on the Board of Education? I am concerned about the quality of education, and the many decisions that have been made by the board of education. Decision regarding pay for performance, school closings (now we have overcrowding), and additional testing leads me to believe we are getting away from the business of educating children. The school board has to begin to respect our employees and move closer to creating great schools in every community. We need to make some adjustments on a number of issues.
Occupation: Owner, The Rankin Insurance Group
Education: MBA-Syracuse University, BS-Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
Do you have children in CMS? My son, eight, attends Mallard Creek Elementary School, and a daughter, three
Contact information:
704.661.4428
info@rankinforcms.com
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Lloyd Scher
Why would you like to serve on the Board of Education? As a former Mecklenburg County Commissioner I took part in developing billion dollar budgets 8 times. This year’s budget process was not fair to CMS employees who received pink slips only to be rehired at less money. I want to change the budget process to make things less stressful on all CMS employees.
I was not happy with the testing program that was developed by the Dr. Gorman as I watched this situation unfold I found that the superintendent was leading the Board rather than the Board setting the agenda for the superintendent. When he went to Raleigh to get the bill passed that would prevent teachers from opting out from pay for performance, like they were promised, I realized we needed leadership with experience on the school board.
Occupation: Writer, former Founder & President of Video Taping Services 1979—2000
Education: BA—University of North Carolina @ Chapel Hill, AA---Miami Dade Junior College, Myers Park High School
Do you have children in CMS? My 5 foster children have all graduated from CMS 2-Myers Park, 2-East Mecklenburg and 1-North Mecklenburg. My granddaughter starts school next year.
Contact information:
Lloyd Scher
Mecklenburg County Commissioner
1992-2000
9815 Meringue Place
Charlotte, NC 28270
704-845-9083 Home
704-506-4020 Mobile
LScher@Windstream.net
www.LloydScher.com
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Jeff Wise
Why would you like to serve on the Board of Education? To help pick the next superintendent. To scale back the amount of testing by trusting teachers more while utilizing their knowledge to create strong assessment rubrics. To do what is necessary to provide needed resources to every school. To listen, learn and understand.
Occupation: Director of Information Services at FreemanWhite. If it involves technology, it’s my responsibility. FreemanWhite is the nation’s 10th oldest architecture firm and the second largest in North Carolina.
Education: Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism, The Ohio State University. Master’s coursework in Arts Administration, Winthrop University.
Do you have children in CMS? I have a four-year-old son who will start in CMS next year.
Contact information:
jeff@votejeffwise.com
www.votejeffwise.com
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