Debra Goldman files for District 9 school board seat

Debra Goldman filed today to run for the District 9 seat on the school board.

In her press release, Goldman says she'll support using only voluntary year-round assignments and "implement sensible assignment policies which keep students close to home." While it's not in the press release, Goldman is being endorsed by the Wake Schools Community Alliance.

"MYR schools in Wake County, like those in hundreds of other school districts, have not succeeded," Goldman says in her press release. "They are expensive, inefficient and cause immeasurable damage to Wake County families. The time has come to end mandatory year round assignment.”

Goldman, currently a stay-at-home, will run against Chapel Hill educator Ray Martin and environmental educator Lois Nixon in District 9, which includes much of Cary. It's likely that supporters of current school board policies will back Nixon.

Here's Goldman's press release:

Debra Goldman Files for WCPSS School Board District 9

Debra Goldman has filed with the Wake County Board of Elections and will run for the District 9 Wake County School Board seat in the October 6th, 2009 election.

Announcing her candidacy, Mrs. Goldman stated “It would be my honor to serve the citizens of District 9 and Wake County as their representative on the School Board. As a Wake County citizen, I recognize that our school system is the lifeblood of our community. As a parent with two children in Wake County Public Schools, I know that it is important to bring a family-focused perspective to the School Board.” Debra brings strong business experience in sales, management and budget supervision. Debra has also been a dedicated servant to her community, serving as a firefighter and EMT, volunteering in the classroom, and actively serving the PTA.

When it comes to our school system, Wake County citizens should not settle for anything less than a world class education for all students. As the District 9 School Board representative, Debra will ensure that we are setting the highest standards for Wake County Schools, and that we put the programs and policies in place so that we can compete on a national level.

Research shows that the primary predictor of educational success is parental involvement. As Debra Goldman stated, “We must refocus our efforts on building parental support for our students and schools. To do that, we need sensible policies which focus on innovation, not transportation, in order to give all of our students the best chance for success.” Another significant issue which Debra will take on is Wake County Schools’ current practice of mandatory assignment to year round (MYR) schools. As Debra put it, “Voluntary year round (VYR) schools have been an effective and efficient option for many Wake County families, and we must be sure to preserve that option. But MYR schools in Wake County, like those in hundreds of other school districts, have not succeeded. They are expensive, inefficient and cause immeasurable damage to Wake County families. The time has come to end mandatory year round assignment.”

As the District 9 School Board representative, Debra will bring a citizens-first approach to the team leading our school system. Debra’s belief is that “Wake County citizens are at the top of the organization chart, not the bottom, and as a School Board we need to remember that every day.”

Debra’s priorities for Wake County schools include:

Establish new community engagement channels which give parents the voice they deserve, and the ideas that our school system needs.
Implement sensible assignment policies which keep students close to home, allowing parents more opportunities to support their children and their schools.
Make assignment to year round schools an option available to more families, while ending the practice of mandatory assignment to year round schools.
We must embrace more innovative approaches to teaching economically disadvantaged students and increasing involvement among their parents.
Stop comparing our school system to the rest of North Carolina and set our sights on successfully competing at the national level.
We must stop wasting money on less important administrative functions, and refocus every dollar possible into the classroom.

Summing up her announcement, Debra Goldman stated “Wake County Public Schools belong to us. We can do much better. With your help our schools and our students will thrive.”

UPDATE

Chris Malone was the only other candidate to file today. He's running in District 1 and was previously endorsed by WSCA.

Goldman has a daughter entering Martin Middle School in Raleigh and a son at Cary High School. 

She is a breast cancer survivor who stopped working several years ago after the disease was diagnosed.