Today we continue our look at local candidates for public office. Susan Walker is today's candidate. Susan is running as a Republican in CMS School Board District 5.
1)There are many reasons why people run for elected office. Why are you running for CMS School Board?
In 2008 I ran for County Commission at Large. It was a fantastic experience meeting so many wonderful people all around the county who care so much for their families and communities. While I did not win in this historic election I learned two very important things. First, the issue I care most about, the one that motivates me most is the education of our children. Second, our school system is facing some very serious challenges and parents, taxpayers and business leaders alike do not have confidence in our School Board. I am running to change the School Board status quo.
2) What is it that makes you qualified to be a School Board Member and how do you think that background and experience will allow you to be a positive reform and progress agent for the students who go to a CMS school?
I have never been afraid to roll up my sleeves and pitch in. I started volunteering in the 90’s at Matthews Elementary School as the “Science Lady” teaching weekly science experiments to third graders. I more recently was the volunteer leader at Garinger High School in the computer literacy program. Sadly, many of the students struggled to read and many could not speak English. I have personal experience in the schools.
As a Major Account Executive for my 29 years in Charlotte, my income depended on building trusting relationships. My various awards in this field are proof that I was successful in this endeavor. For the last nine years I specialized in Municipal government and School Systems. I have the transferable business and concensus building skills needed on the board.
Additionally, two of my five children are school teachers. One teaches high school in Raleigh and the other taught elementary school here in Charlotte for seven years. I see first hand through a mothers eyes the trial and tribulations our teachers go through.
I am an Ironman triathlete who, as a single mother, trained twice a day for a year and completed and placed in the 2.4 mi swim, 112 mi. bike, 26.2 mile race!
I have a view to the classroom, the business skills, the leadership and consensus building skills and the drive and perseverance to become a positive reform and progress agent for our CMS students.
3) What have you been doing to increase your understanding of what goes on inside various CMS classrooms?
I have been meeting with the Principals in District 5, 10 to date, with the goal of meeting with all of the Principals as well as the Superintendents of the Learning Communities that cover the schools in this District. I have also attended MeckEd forums to learn about testing and accountability and the budget process. There is a wealth of data on the MeckEd website which gives us a statistical view of CMS, NC, and the USA.
This summer I am also meeting with various teachers in District 5 and when school is back in session, I will be meeting with PTA’s parents and students. I’ve also been doing my summer reading! I just finished Bill Strickland’s Make the Impossible Possible and John Gatto’s Dumbing Us Down. I have been building a reading list as I meet with teachers, principals and parents and feel that this is an important part of my own continuing education and best practices.
4) The size of the CMS budget and how and where dollars are spent is a major concern to taxpayers. As a member of the School Board, what will you specifically do to address the concerns of taxpayers and ensure that there is justification and transparency for each expenditure?
The district receives money from federal, state and county sources. With federal dollars having the greatest restriction, state dollars funding teacher salaries and local dollars filling the gaps, the budget process is a challenge. Still, this should not prevent CMS and the Board of Education from giving taxpayers transparency for how their tax dollars are spent.
It is incumbent on me as the elected Board member to expect full accountability and transparency from the CMS staff regarding spending and budgets. It is my duty as an elected official to communicate this information to my constituents. I will never forget that I am a public servant and must be a keeper of the public trust. I intend to communicate through my website via newsletters as well as through regular public meetings prior to board meetings. In this way I hope to give a voice to parents and taxpayers.
To learn more about Susan, please visit her site www.electsusanwalker.com
To contact me, please write to me at scott.babbidge@takebacktherepublicanparty.com
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