Wake County Board of Education District 6
Sam Hershey
Are you an incumbent?
No
1. Do you support the City of Raleigh’s $275 million parks bond on the ballot this November?
Yes
2. Do you support the $353.2 million Wake Tech bond on the ballot this November?
Yes
3. Do you support the $530.7 million Wake County schools bond on the ballot this November?
Yes
4. If elected, what are your plans for working with the Wake County Board of Commissioners to achieve our schools’ needs?
Our County Commissioners have done a great job supporting Wake County Schools. I've already worked to build relationships with some of our current Commissioners and I'm proud to have the endorsement of Commissioner Vickie Adamson, who lives in this school district. The Commissioners that know me, know I'll be open and honest about the needs of our schools. They also know that I will be mindful that Commissioners having a lot of other areas outside of school funding that require their attention.
5. How do you plan to engage and build trust with parents, employers, and other stakeholders of your school district?
-We should be using the organizations such as the Raleigh Chamber and Wake Ed Partnership to build relationships within the community.
-I will attend PTA meetings when permitted and attend meetings with school staff when permitted.
-I will listen and respond to stakeholders when they reach out. It's important to be accessible and responsive and this is how we build trust.
6. What will you do to improve school safety in Wake County?
I applaud that WCPSS proactively had a safety audit completed over the last couple of years. I fully support the recommendations of that audit. We must also continue to invest time and resources into reducing bullying incidents. We must provide support to those that have been bullied as well as working with bullies to change their behavior.
7. What are the growing trends in student needs, and how should the Wake County Public School System address them?
One negative growing trend is worsening mental health.
This is a funding issue as NC has a shortage of schools nurses, psychologists, social workers, and counselors. It's disappointing that staffing issues are really a funding issue given that the state has more than enough money to provide funding and that it all serves to benefit the most important people in our schools, our kids! We need to hire more staff across the board.
8. How do you propose the Wake County Public School System overcome its current labor shortage? Please give specific steps you wish to see taken.
1. Increase teacher/staff pay: We need the general assembly to step up before the shortages get worse. They set salaries and we need the NCGA to significantly increase them.
2. Working Conditions: We should listen to staff on how we can improve their working conditions. Whether it's in the classroom or on a bus, we need to make sure all staff feel safe and respected where they work.
3. Focus on support: Provide mentoring to new teachers. Provide mental health support to all staff. Provide professional development opportunities for all staff.
4. Community Respect: School staff deserve the respect of our communities. These people play such an important role in our kids' lives and yet, at times, they are treated with such disdain and mistrust. They are criticized by a vocal minority beyond what many others would tolerate at their own workplace. These people spread lies and innuendos about what is being taught to our kids. It's dangerous and undeserved. School board candidates and members should push back against the disrespect and be the positive, encouraging voices our staff deserve. W
9. What should the school system focus on to ensure children are ready for the jobs of tomorrow?
WCPSS is doing a very good job focusing on the jobs of tomorrow with a variety of magnet focuses, Career & Technical Education (vocational) opportunities, dual enrollment with Wake Tech, language emersion schools and more. As long as we continue to have school board members believe in the vision and mission of WCPSS, our school system will continue to prepare our children for the jobs of tomorrow. I believe in the importance of public schools, I believe in our WCPSS and I will make sure all the hard work of the last few decades is not undone. I ask for your vote.
Are you an incumbent?
No
1. Do you support the City of Raleigh’s $275 million parks bond on the ballot this November?
Yes
2. Do you support the $353.2 million Wake Tech bond on the ballot this November?
Yes
3. Do you support the $530.7 million Wake County schools bond on the ballot this November?
Yes
4. If elected, what are your plans for working with the Wake County Board of Commissioners to achieve our schools’ needs?
Our County Commissioners have done a great job supporting Wake County Schools. I've already worked to build relationships with some of our current Commissioners and I'm proud to have the endorsement of Commissioner Vickie Adamson, who lives in this school district. The Commissioners that know me, know I'll be open and honest about the needs of our schools. They also know that I will be mindful that Commissioners having a lot of other areas outside of school funding that require their attention.
5. How do you plan to engage and build trust with parents, employers, and other stakeholders of your school district?
-We should be using the organizations such as the Raleigh Chamber and Wake Ed Partnership to build relationships within the community.
-I will attend PTA meetings when permitted and attend meetings with school staff when permitted.
-I will listen and respond to stakeholders when they reach out. It's important to be accessible and responsive and this is how we build trust.
6. What will you do to improve school safety in Wake County?
I applaud that WCPSS proactively had a safety audit completed over the last couple of years. I fully support the recommendations of that audit. We must also continue to invest time and resources into reducing bullying incidents. We must provide support to those that have been bullied as well as working with bullies to change their behavior.
7. What are the growing trends in student needs, and how should the Wake County Public School System address them?
One negative growing trend is worsening mental health.
This is a funding issue as NC has a shortage of schools nurses, psychologists, social workers, and counselors. It's disappointing that staffing issues are really a funding issue given that the state has more than enough money to provide funding and that it all serves to benefit the most important people in our schools, our kids! We need to hire more staff across the board.
8. How do you propose the Wake County Public School System overcome its current labor shortage? Please give specific steps you wish to see taken.
1. Increase teacher/staff pay: We need the general assembly to step up before the shortages get worse. They set salaries and we need the NCGA to significantly increase them.
2. Working Conditions: We should listen to staff on how we can improve their working conditions. Whether it's in the classroom or on a bus, we need to make sure all staff feel safe and respected where they work.
3. Focus on support: Provide mentoring to new teachers. Provide mental health support to all staff. Provide professional development opportunities for all staff.
4. Community Respect: School staff deserve the respect of our communities. These people play such an important role in our kids' lives and yet, at times, they are treated with such disdain and mistrust. They are criticized by a vocal minority beyond what many others would tolerate at their own workplace. These people spread lies and innuendos about what is being taught to our kids. It's dangerous and undeserved. School board candidates and members should push back against the disrespect and be the positive, encouraging voices our staff deserve. W
9. What should the school system focus on to ensure children are ready for the jobs of tomorrow?
WCPSS is doing a very good job focusing on the jobs of tomorrow with a variety of magnet focuses, Career & Technical Education (vocational) opportunities, dual enrollment with Wake Tech, language emersion schools and more. As long as we continue to have school board members believe in the vision and mission of WCPSS, our school system will continue to prepare our children for the jobs of tomorrow. I believe in the importance of public schools, I believe in our WCPSS and I will make sure all the hard work of the last few decades is not undone. I ask for your vote.
