For 28 years, Carol Stubbs experienced Cumberland County Schools from positions that often operate outside the classroom but are essential to keeping a school system running.
Stubbs spent nearly three decades working for the district in support roles, including as a custodian and bus driver, according to her campaign. Those jobs, she said, kept her connected to students, families, educators, and the daily operations of the school system.
Her involvement in public education extended beyond her district jobs. Stubbs served as both vice president and president of the Cumberland County Association of Educators, advocating on issues affecting public school employees and students.
She remains involved in education after retirement, serving as president of Cumberland County Retired School Personnel and as Region 6A treasurer for the N.C. Retired School Personnel division of the N.C. Association of Educators.
This also isn’t Stubbs’ first campaign for the school board. She ran for one of the district’s three at-large seats in 2022, placing fourth. Now seeking an at-large seat again, Stubbs is focusing on academic performance, supporting and retaining educators, and ensuring schools have the resources they need.
What are the top two issues the Board of Education should focus on over the next four years? How would you approach them?
The two most critical issues that Cumberland County’s Public Schools face currently are number one: striving to provide the best quality of services for our students, teachers, and staff.
Secondly, mapping out a strategic plan that would make our school system rank at the top of North Carolina’s scores in academic and co-curricular performance. The approach to these issues is to be able to publicize an educational package that will attract the best teachers and the best students to our county.
Cumberland County Schools has faced difficult decisions involving school closures, facility maintenance, and consolidation. What principles would guide your decision-making when evaluating future facility needs?
The N.C. Education Lottery began with an original promise that seemed quite exciting and promising. The funds from lottery funding were aimed at helping children’s educational needs.
When we look very closely at the status of our schools and our children’s educational needs, we must consider the financial resources available to support school construction and repairs. With funding, if we spend these monies appropriately, Cumberland County can build great facilities.
The principles that would guide my decision-making when evaluating future facility needs would include looking at funding from the N.C. Education Lottery and other financial resources available to Cumberland County.
How can Cumberland County Schools best support students with disabilities and ensure families have confidence in the district’s special education services?
Public schools must give people with disabilities an equal chance to join programs, activities, and events. Buildings must feature ramps, elevators, wider doorways, and accessible bathrooms.
Since our county has employed legal representatives who are aware of the above quoted information and ensured that our county remains in compliance with the legal mandates; we must remain very vigilant in working with this special population of students.
In conclusion, the Cumberland County Board of Education hired Jill McKenna as Assistant Superintendent of Exceptional Children’s Services to ensure confidentiality and to provide the necessary support for our population of students with disabilities.
Student enrollment has declined in recent years. What role, if any, do you believe the Board of Education should play in attracting and retaining students and families in Cumberland County Schools?
The Board of Education should work to make Cumberland County Schools a district where all families feel their children can receive the support and educational opportunities they need. That includes students with disabilities, students experiencing homelessness, children of migrant workers, and children being cared for by foster or adoptive parents.
One way to attract and retain families is to make sure parents know that Cumberland County Schools is committed to serving all students, regardless of their circumstances or individual needs. The board should ensure schools have the resources and support necessary to meet those needs and give families confidence that their children can succeed in Cumberland County Schools.
What steps can the Board of Education take to recruit, support, and retain high-quality teachers and staff?
The Board of Education must be composed of members who have the foresight and sensitivity of recognizing the urgency of “honoring teachers.” When the teachers are made to feel good about their profession, they will foster good learning and motivation for our students.
Unfortunately, we have missed our goal somewhere, and we need to re-examine our focus. Yes, I am convinced that we have high-achievers and gifted students in our county. And these high-achievers deserve high-achieving teachers who are energetic and who are “well-paid” for their services and their dedication to the competitiveness of North Carolina’s educational standards; and this includes our students in Cumberland County.
What are your views on year-round schools? What factors would you consider when making decisions about expanding or maintaining year-round calendars?
When we examine the school structure of other countries, the concept of year-round schools has almost become the norm. In addition, if we consider the fact that Cumberland County possesses such a massive population of military families, who are already accustomed to the year-round schools concept; it is very urgent that Cumberland County give this particular concept serious thought.
In fact, it might be a good idea to organize research studies or a forum to provide the county with paths to expand the quality of success for your-round schools.
Cumberland County Schools currently has several schools identified by the state as low-performing. What role should the Board of Education play in improving student outcomes at those schools? What strategies would you prioritize?
The Board of Education must play a pivotal role in improving students’ evaluative outcomes at those schools identified by the state as low-performing. As we advocate investments in educator’s pay, instructional resources, mental health support and equitable funding; we also must re-examine accountability on the part of all of our constituents.
Provide the data to substantiate recorded proof of several counties in North Carolina who documented the evolution of low-achieving schools to attain positive evolution within two to three school years. However, as these positive changes occurred; certain educational specialists were hired at the county level, and these specialists provided educational plans that worked for those counties, and the scores positively changed.
We can do the same. Direct strategies to prioritize in improving student outcomes include access to competent teachers, qualified principals, and sufficient educational resources. We must never forget! Cumberland County School system is open to “all” students.
