Editor’s note:  The four candidates for three seats on the Tyrrell County Board of Education were invited to make brief statements for publication. Carlos Armstrong did not reply. Printed below are the responses we received:

 

KAREN CLOUGH

My name is Karen Clough and I am running for re-election to the Tyrrell County Board of Education. My husband, Mark and I have been a part of this community for ten years and we are proud to call it home. We have four sons in the local schools Samuel (8th), Hayden (K), Braxton (K) and Cameron (PreK).

I am a mom with 20 years of experience in administrative jobs within non-profits. I am a Community Outreach Coordinator with NC Land of Water. I also volunteer with our schools, 4-H, Boy Scouts, Tyrrell Chamber of Commerce and Sound Side Missionary Baptist Church. I enjoy working with individuals and their families. I am engaged in community outreach, nonprofit budgeting, public relations and agency policy/procedure evaluations. I’ve developed a combination of skills that strengthen my work with the school board.

My desire to run for school board is an extension of my continued desire to serve this community. I have seen how education positively affects children, their families, and the entire community. I have served within our schools working to improve student achievement and rallying parents to get engaged in educational issues.  I would like to ensure that all students have access to a quality education that prepares them to become productive citizens. I will work collaboratively with the administration, teachers, parents, students and community stakeholders so that our priorities are met, innovative progress is made and success is realized.

I want to be your voice and look forward to serving you.

Thank you for your vote.

 

 

ROBIN McCLEES DUNBAR

Dear Citizens of Tyrrell County:  I am Robin McClees Dunbar. Many of you know me, as my family and I are lifelong residents of Tyrrell County. I live in the Travis Community of Columbia and graduated from Columbia High School. My parents are the late L.C. (Ted) and Callie Mae McClees.  I am married to David Dunbar.  We have two adult daughters and two grandsons currently in the school system.

I seek re-election to the Tyrrell County Board of Education. Our school system has a history of producing successful citizens and I am pleased to be able to contribute in helping to continue that legacy of success. Tyrrell County Schools strive to offer the best educational opportunities available to our students academically as well as with other activities.  Columbia Early College High School has grown from offering our students a diploma to offering students the opportunity to graduate from their hometown high school with an associate’s degree along with their high school diploma. Most of our students graduate from high school with several college credits which reduces their cost of higher education.  We are a small-town school with dedicated and highly qualified staff, loving parents and a caring, supportive community.

I consider it an honor to have the opportunity to represent you on the Board of Education. I ask that you support me in my endeavor to continue working to ensure that Tyrrell County Schools remain “Dedicated to the Success of All.”   Please vote for me on May 8, 2018. Thank you for your support.

 

 

KISHA NORMAN

My name is Kisha Norman and I am running for Board of Education. I am 39 years old, married and have 4 children. I am the youth and adult choir director at Alligator Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, where I hold membership, as well as the youth choir director for Mt. Moriah AME Zion. I work for the Washington County Board of Education as the EC/Testing and Accountability Program Support Specialist. I hold an Associate of Arts in Business, a Bachelor’s of Science in Business/Psychology, a Master’s of Science in Psychology and currently pursuing Masters’ of Arts in both School & Career Counseling.  Most of you probably remember me from the Tax Office here in Tyrrell County. While working there, I made sure that the citizens of Tyrrell County were well informed regarding tax changes, answered all questions pertaining to their tax bills as well as acted as a tax advocate when necessary. I want to provide that same diligence, perseverance and determination to you, as parents and to our children. Just like you, I know how important it is that our children are in a learning environment that is inviting, safe, innovative and engaging. I want to be an advocate for you and our children regarding key board decisions such as allocating funding, developing and adopting policies, curriculum, and staffing decisions among other things. My goal is to insure our children are prepared to live a satisfying and productive life after graduation. Remember, our children, our voice.