Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/742437
OCTOBER 26 - NOVEMBER 1, 2016 UCW 29 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM justice each day in the courtroom. When people go to vote I want them to remem- ber I am a prosecutor, child advocate, community leader and ready to serve on day 1. Tiffany Marie Whitfield for District Court Judge. N.C. District Court Judge Mike Hardin I have dedicated my life and my career for nearly two decades to public service. I have been a child sex offense prosecutor for 18 years. I have worked with children from the day they told someone they were physically or sexually abused, until years later when their cases went to trial. I have seen these same children later as adults and know personally the impact these cases have had on their lives and the lives of their families. Cumberland County has over 900 cases of abuse, neglect, and dependency pend- ing. Many of these children are in Foster Care. Eventually a district court judge will have to decide where these children. Cumberland County has a high number of domestic court filings, including divorce and child custody. A district court judge will have to decide which parent these children will live with, visitation, and other important decisions that will affect these children for the rest of their lives. I believe my experience and my commitment to children and families are the reasons I can make a difference as the next District Court Judge in Cumberland County. I am the only candidate that has a family of his own. A district court judge will have to resolve family issues on a daily basis. Although, it is not necessary to have a fam- ily to be a judge, I believe that having a family gives me unique insight into how a family works on a daily basis. Cumberland County has had a steady violent crime rate. A district court judge has the power to set higher bonds to keep the public safe from repeat and violent offenders. I have been a violent crimes prosecutor for over 20 years trying cases involving rape, robbery, kidnapping, and murder. I am the only candidate with this type of experience. I believe I have unique insight into how to protect the public. A district court judge must be able to understand what the victims of crime experi- ence. My family and I have also been the victim of crime. My wife and son were assaulted by a sexual predator in a parking lot downtown. My family experienced the court system from the magistrate's office to a jury trial. I believe myself and my family have a unique insight into what the general public often experiences. A district court judge essentially presides over trials and the courtroom. A judge should therefore have substantial trial experience of their own if they are going to tell other lawyers how to try a case. All lawyers learn the law in law school, but you don't have real experience until you have practiced law. I unquestionably have the most trial experience. I believe that my extensive experience inside and outside of the courtroom, and my overall life experience makes me the best choice for District Court Judge. I am committed to continuing my career as a public servant, serving the citizens of Cumberland County. Board of Education District 1 Alicia S. Chisholm Board ofEducation District 2 Porcha McMillan UCW: What qualifies you to serve on the Cumberland County Board of Education? There are three areas that qualify me for serving on the Cumberland County Board of Education: Relatable, Relevant and Competent. As a mother of two and the wife of an Administrator of Cumberland County Schools, I am able to look at things from different lenses and bring the perspective of a parent. I am able to understand and relate to current issues parents are faced with today. Also, having the ability to recognize the concerns that affect our administrators and teachers in the school system. Serving in a leadership capacity as the President, for the Cumberland County District PTA Council has allowed me to build relationships with Cumberland County Schools, Superintendent, parents, teachers and com- munity leaders. This role has afforded me the opportunity to advocate and hear the concerns of our children, parents and administration. Currently, I serve on the state level as a Board of Director for North Carolina PTA, which allows me to advo- cate and implement policies which impact children and families throughout the state. As a Public Administrator, I understand how to set goals, develop and implement efficient and effective systems. My passion is serving the public and advocating for those who do not have a voice. Cumberland County District PTA Council and North Carolina PTA have afforded me the opportunity to be engaged and become more aware of par- ent concerns outside of my community. Serving in this capacity has given me the ability to have a well-rounded view on issues that impact boys and girls achieve- ment and implement decisions and policies that are data driven. UCW: In your opinion what are the top issues facing our schools? And what are your ideas for solving/dealing with them? UCW; In your opinion what are the top issues facing our schools? And what are your ideas for solving/dealing with them? School Climate and Discipline: Disproportionate Suspension and Expulsion Rates Discipline Policy and Practices. Recommendations: Assess and Evaluate current policies addressing concerns above and implement equity programs, which will close achievement gap. Inequitable Educational Resources: Recommendations: (1) Assess budget regard- ing resources and ensure all schools are receiving the same technology and same learning experiences. (2) Assess Recruitment Policy and work with CCS HR to attract, recruit and hire Qualified Teachers. Diversity and Inclusion Policies: Recommendations: (1) Assess current Diversity Policy. Work with Board to ensure we have a current and effective Equity and Diversity Policy. Assess and evaluate comparative school district policies. Board of Education District 3 Carrie M. Sutton UCW: What qualifies you to serve on the Cumberland County Board of Education? The eight successful years of services on the Cumberland County Board of Educa- tion qualifies my continued service on the BOE. The direction of the district is posi- tive and the efforts of continued positive growth is a must. Student growth and achievement in Cumberland County is among the highest in the state. UCW; In your opinion what are the top issues facing our schools? And what are your ideas for solving/dealing with them? The top concerns I have as a Board Member is 1. The safety of our students, teach- ers, administrators and staff at each school. 2. Continued high student achieve- ment and growth 3. Greater parent and community support of the school system and students. Board of Education District 4 Donna Blackmon Vann UCW: What qualifies you to serve on the Cumberland County Board of Education? With 32 years of experience as an educator in the Cumberland County School System, my depth of educational understanding qualifies me to serve on the Cumberland County Board of Education. I have the knowledge and familiarity of all facets of the educational community to be able to represent and meet the needs of every stake holder. Moreover, representing District 4 is personal for me; the fact that I grew up in this district and have been a student, parent, and educator in this district, gives me the confidence that I am qualified to provide effective represen- tation of the District 4 community. In your opinion what are the top issues facing our schools? And what are your ideas for solving/dealing with them? Recruiting and retaining teachers is a national issue facing schools today. There are many reasons cited on why good teachers are leaving the profession. Some obvious expla- nations are low salaries, where NC is ranked 41st in the nation, and the lack of respect for teachers and education as a profession. Teachers also state accountability pressures, lack of support from administrators, lack of student motiva- tion, student discipline problems, and working conditions as reasons for their discontent. To improve teacher retention in Cumberland County Schools, we must conscientiously address these issues. The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction administers the NC Teacher Working Conditions Survey to school level licensed personnel every two years. The statewide survey is used to determine whether educators have the provisions for effective teaching. Though Cumberland County Schools may have scored higher than the state average on most of the areas, the results of the NC TWC Survey indicate a critical need for improvement. By working on and improving specific areas such as ensuring an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect and the management of student discipline, we can improve teacher retention. Building productive and positive school environments begins at the top and involves everyone. One key in accomplishing this is to strengthen training that will ensure administrators and teachers have the tools to create strong teaching and learning en- vironments. To establish an atmosphere where teachers want to teach and students want to learn, we must provide working conditions that are supportive, as well as, provide time for teachers' to collaboratively plan, and deliver effective professional development. As a member of the Board of Education, I am committed to attracting and retaining teachers in the Cumberland County School System.