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Editor’s Note: For coverage of the primary election, The Stanly News & Press sent questions to each group of candidates. We limited their responses to 200 words per answer. Answers appear as is, with the exception of editing for grammatical/spelling errors or length. This allows potential voters to see the candidates through their own words and gives equal opportunity for the candidates to respond. We gave candidates two weeks to email their answers back.

School Board

At-Large

Anthony Graves
Melvin B. Poole
Robin B. Whittaker
John Wright

District 1
Dustin Lisk
Meghan Almond

7. After your first full year in office, what would be a good benchmark to show that you’ve made an impact?

Graves: My goal is to work with the current board to address the major issues currently impacting our school system before the end of my first term.

A good benchmark of my effectiveness as an effective member of the school board is whether or not I am able to contribute to accomplishing the goals, priorities and challenges we identify from month to month, in a manner that is fair and cost-effective and puts the children, parents and the employees and contractors of Stanly County Schools first.

Poole: More important than what I might see as a benchmark is what benchmark the public will set for me.

After all, I will be their servant. It will be my responsibility to build relationships with those on the board, without which very little gets done.

I think anyone associated with me knows the position will have a 100 percent effort from me.

Whittaker: I would want to see an increase in both our student growth and staff retention. My goal would be that Stanly County Schools would continue to be known as a great system with a stellar reputation and that great students, great teachers and great staff would gravitate to us.

 

Wright: After my first year I hope my benchmark will be that I am a trusted source our community can come to with concerns with educating our kids.

I hope and pray that I make a positive impact on the school system here in Stanly County. That the parents, students and teachers of Stanly County feel they are being heard and trust is once again established.

Being this is my first time running for public office, I am leaving room to learn and grow once elected also.

Thank you for taking time to read this and thank you to SNAP for allowing me the opportunity to reach our community.

Lisk: In one year, we can look back at my votes to prove my record. I am only one voice on the board and the board takes a majority vote to implement action.

However, I will advocate action in the best interests of our students and shareholders. I will work every day to accomplish our goals and objectives. I will review my performance annually, adjust as needed and execute plans accordingly.

I will visit the schools on a regular basis to engage in conversation with administrators, teachers and staff. These conversations provide invaluable information to help make vital decisions for our future.

I will communicate with the public frequently. This engagement will include in-person conversations, events, meetings, phone calls, emails and social media. I will keep the public informed of our progress as well as our challenges.

I cannot predict the future. Life will throw curveballs. Our school system will have surprises. I will make sure to lead our county in the right direction and persevere through any obstacle standing in our way.

Almond: Listen to the community! What are they saying? Do the parents feel they are finally being heard? Are our students retaining what is being taught instead of prepped to test? You can learn a lot just by listening.

It’s going to take more than a year to see the change, but I’m ready to get started!

 

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