BIO INFORMATION - hammforccsboe

Why are you seeking this office?

I have served on the Chatham County BOE since 2008. Before I retired, I served my entire career with Chatham County Schools as a first grade teacher, coach, assistant principal, and principal. I have worked in schools across the county from Bonlee to Siler City to Pittsboro. I am also a graduate of Northwood High School. Knowing the history of CCS, where it has been, helps in understanding what direction the school system needs to go. Having lived in various parts of the county gives me a deeper understanding of its people and their diverse perspectives.

What is your understanding of the responsibilities of a Chatham County school board member, and why do you believe you’re qualified to fill that role?

The prime responsibility of a school board member is to develop and establish policy for the school system. The board also has the responsibility to hire a superintendent that is innovative, caring, understanding and can lead over 9,000 children through ever changing educational experiences to prepare them to work in the global economy.

As a current member of the CCS BOE in my 16th year, I want to continue our accomplishments in academics, personnel, and community relationships. I am committed to CCS. I have been consistent with CCS. I have forty plus years of experience with CCS. And, I am reliable and dependable for CCS.

What are the most significant challenges facing the board of education in the coming year, and how you’d plan to address them?

With our recent experience in dealing with COVID-19 and distant learning, it has been made very clear that equitable access to high speed internet needs to be consistent throughout our county. Our Board of Commissioners will have to step up to the plate to provide funding to make county-wide high speed broadband wireless internet accessible to all Chatham County residences. Students should not be punished for lack of internet accessibility due to where they live in the county. Distant learning will become the new norm in the future. At present, Chatham County Schools provides every student with a device; connectivity is the next big step for us to tackle.

Give us two goals that are specific, measurable and attainable you would have if elected:

• 1: Lower our teacher attrition rate to 9.5%.

Successfully retaining the best teachers in Chatham is successful due to positive work environments in all our schools. If you like working where you are, you stay. In our region of 16 school systems, Chatham County Schools ranks 2nd in teacher attrition over the past 3 years. Last year we had teacher attrition at 12 % while the state average was 13.3%.

• 2: Continue to increase the local supplement by 1% annually.

Another important factor in retaining teachers is directly affected by the local pay supplement. Based on information that is published on the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction website, Chatham is 7th in the state for teacher supplements and 5th in the region. Our average teacher supplement is $6,481. A big thank you goes out to our Chatham County Board of Commissioners in providing the funds necessary to keep us at the top of the supplement pay scale not only in our region, but in the State.

Look ahead four years from now…what would you like to see the Chatham County Board of Education to have accomplished in that time? (200 words or less)

Attracting certified and competent teachers is the backbone of a successful school system. Successfully retaining the best teachers in Chatham is successful due to positive work environments in all our schools. If you like working where you are, you stay. In our region of 16 school systems, Chatham County Schools ranks 2nd in teacher attrition over the past 3 years. Last year we had teacher attrition at 12 % while the state average was 13.3%. Another important factor in retaining teachers is directly affected by the local pay supplement. Based on information that is published on the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction website, Chatham is 7th in the state for teacher supplements and 5th in the region. Our average teacher supplement is $6,481. A big thank you goes out to our Chatham County Board of Commissioners in providing the funds necessary to keep us at the top of the supplement pay scale not only in our region, but in the State.

QUESTION: How have your past experiences make you qualified to serve on the Board of Education for Chatham County Schools?

I have served on the Chatham County BOE since 2008. During my tenure I have served on the Chatham Education Foundation Board. I have also served on various state level committees with the North Carolina School Board Association. Before I retired, I served my entire career with Chatham County Schools as a first grade teacher, coach, assistant principal, and principal. I have worked in schools across the county from Bonlee to Siler City to Pittsboro. I am also a graduate of Northwood High School. Knowing the history of CCS, where it has been, helps in understanding what direction the school system needs to go. Having lived in various parts of the county gives me a deeper understanding of its people and their diverse perspectives.

My experience as an educator and board member helps tremendously in understanding the political aspects, the business side of running a school system, and the human side of dealing with personnel issues. Being a board member also takes a lot of "give and take" and being a true team player. First and foremost, understanding that every decision, no matter how big or small, has to be made in the best interest of the children, OUR INVESTMENT FOR THE FUTURE!