Name as it appears on the ballot: Mary A. Hales
Party affiliation: Democrat. (Note: This is a nonpartisan race.)
Previous elected offices held: N/A
Age as of Election Day: 71
Immediate family members: One daughter and one son
Occupation (employer, where you work, what you do): I worked for Cumberland County Schools for 31 years and retired as a principal, which included working during this tenure with the N.C. Department of Public Instruction. My career has also included working as a mental health counselor prior to becoming an educator.
Website and campaign social media: votemaryhales.com; maryhales72@gmail.com.
1. The “Parents’ Bill of Rights” legislation has incorporated changes regarding education on health, gender identity and sexuality into state law. This year’s state superintendent race features a candidate who has discussed implementing additional measures that some critics call extreme. What’s your assessment of the state of public education in North Carolina?
I will acknowledge that profound changes in the educational system in North Carolina are paramount to the quality of education that our students deserve to receive throughout the entire state. Legislation should implement changes or design laws and bills that are paramount to the greatest success of all stakeholders. In addition to teachers, those stakeholders should include instructional assistants, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, social workers and counselors. More importantly, the laws must incorporate changes that will afford significant instructional opportunities and address specific challenges for students who are experiencing socioeconomic disadvantages. With respect to gender identity and sexuality, those are issues that I am not knowledgeable enough of to comment on at this particular time.
2. If you solely controlled the purse strings of Cumberland County and for the county’s school district, what changes would you implement to both help preserve your fund balance and best serve teachers and students?
First, all departments and their specific roles are important. However, we should assess the current state of the system by conducting a critical review of all departments including those in Central Services to determine which ones lend themselves to having the most successful and greatest impact on student achievement and to the health, safety and well-being of everyone. Those that do not may need to be downsized. Unfortunately, institutions tend to allocate funds from the top-down with the top being compensated the heaviest. There is also a tendency to purchase supplies, materials and programs that are of the least benefit to the majority. No one size fits all. It is incumbent upon us to allocate more appropriate funding throughout our schools, especially our underachieving schools.
3. This community has long discussed constructing a new campus for E.E. Smith High School. What’s your solution for E.E. Smith High School?
I’d like to be afforded the opportunity to obtain the facts, review pertinent information and conduct my own assessment before rendering a definitive solution. However, I do agree that a new state-of-the-art school should be built to replace the current school without compromising and/or sacrificing its rich heritage, identity and history.
4. Declining enrollment and increasing absenteeism are both significant challenges for Cumberland County Schools. What’s your fix for both?
This is a grave concern for all. One very important aspect of increasing enrollment and decreasing absenteeism is consistent and open dialogue with parents and the students. Conducting community informational nights to discuss the impact absenteeism has on student achievement is essential. Creating a variety of district-wide incentives for students and soliciting assistance from our faith-based communities may prove advantageous. The implementation of a truancy program and utilizing specific personnel to serve as mediators between the homes and the schools may be avenues for improving the current situation. More social workers and counselors should be hired to assist with these challenges. Assigning peers or student mentors to students with chronic absenteeism rates may be one workable solution and presenting it as a fun and competitive alternative with a reward attached. However, there must be concrete definitive consequences for not adhering to the policies and procedures. Unfortunately, it may result in law enforcement becoming involved, which should be a last resort. It is most imperative that we always treat our parents and students with dignity and respect regardless of circumstances.
5. Cumberland County Sheriff Ennis Wright surprised officials this spring when he suddenly announced plans to pull school resource officers and traffic control officers from most public schools. What’s your take on his decision, and how would you approach a relationship with the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office moving forward? And has the SRO issue been resolved to your satisfaction?
As a citizen reading about the circumstances surrounding the decisions in the news and hearing the information from the general public have not afforded me enough facts to render conclusive and intelligent responses regarding either entity. However, I do know without any doubt that each and every school and the occupants thereof deserve to learn and work in a safe and secure environment. Instituting a plan of action for the well-being, safety and security of everyone is paramount for optimal learning for all students and will enhance rigorous teaching from educators.