Government Relations Committee will recommend candidates to CMAE

Earlier this month, members of CMAE's Government Relations Committee interviewed nine of 13 candidates for the three at-large seats on the Charlotte Mecklenburg School Board. (Eleven candidates accepted the committee's invitation to interview, but two of these couldn't or didn't attend.) Candidates were asked about general and specific issues around advocacy and policy-making which impacts public education in Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, and North Carolina.

After careful deliberation, and based upon candidates' responses, the Committee will issue to CMAE's monthly meeting of Association Representatives its recommendations of Elyse Dashew, Lenora Shipp, Stephanie Sneed, and Monty Witherspoon.

Association Representatives will meet Thursday, October 17, at the CMAE office.

According to Chairwoman Winifred Muhammad, committee members applied several criteria in weighing the candidates, their records and positions, and their responses to members' questions. Among the criteria were these priorities:


(a) Candidates who demonstrated a solid history of advocating for a great public school education for every student, regardless of their zip code;

(b) Candidates who exhibited unwavering commitment to improving the teaching and learning environments of all CMS schools through community activism and engagement;

(c) Candidates who demonstrated keen understanding of the diverse needs of students and various communities, not just for particular parts of Mecklenburg County;

(d) Candidates who embodied a long-standing history of consistent words, actions, and deeds that push for all CMS schools to employ a high-quality workforce for students and families we serve, and

(e) Candidates who have advocated consistently for a decent living-wage and compensation for all employees who labor to provide quality public education for every CMS student.

In the committee report prepared for Association Representatives, Chairwoman Muhammad stated that the recommended candidates "are a shining example of the mission and goals that our Association stands for."

"The committee determined that their long-standing history of child advocacy and public education support will serve our community, families, employees, and most importantly our students well, especially as our community gears up to take on the challenge of preparing all students to be outstanding citizens," she wrote.

Ms. Muhammad thanked committee members who sacrificed a Saturday to meet and interview candidates, and to issue a recommendation to CMAE. In addition to the chair, committee members included Jennifer Anderson, Justin Parmenter, Amanda Thompson, Randolph Frierson, and Phyllis Washington.