Deanna 'Dee' Darling: 2023 Candidate for Cary District 26 School Board

Bio

Town: Cary

Age on Election Day: 58

Occupation:

Employer:

Previous offices held:

Q&A

Q: Why are you running for this office, whether for reelection or election the first time? Is there a particular issue that motivates you?

A: I witnessed the impact the 2010 budgetary cuts had on our District, it left our District a shell of its former self, staffed by demoralized, underpaid teachers no longer able to give students the degree of support they would otherwise provide. I felt it was critical we make our staff feel valued and heard, part of a team once again. I worked hard to cut non-essential spending to be able to compensate staff who never recouped pay cuts. We lost top talent for years to surrounding districts because they paid more, earning us the reputation, "training district." I'm running again because the work isn't done, we're making great strides, but we need to keep moving the district forward. My job isn't done! An issue that motivate me is embracing our EL families, not only in the way the District communicates now via translated materials, but also within the community by being inclusive, giving these families the chance to feel this "close knit" community the rest of us get to experience.

Q: What is the role of the school board in setting and monitoring curriculum?

A: Most School Boards, like District 26, have policy for not only Curriculum Development, but also for Curriculum Content. These policies lay out the guidelines that need to be followed before ever coming to a Board vote for approval. Stakeholder Curriculum Committees are part of this process, with the primary task of reviewing all instructional programs and materials being considered, comparing them, and providing feedback to the board with their recommendations. There is also a policy in place which states parents/guardians have the right to inspect any instructional material used as part of their child's curriculum. Parents/guardians also have the opportunity to "opt-out" their child from the curriculum that a parent feels is controversial, and the District will provide alternative instructional activities for children who are opted out.

Q: Are there curriculum issues within the district that you feel need particular attention from the board?

A: No, the new curriculum adoption process is dictated by District policy along with the existence of policy that gives parents/guardians the opportunity to "opt-out" of curriculum they feel is not suitable for their own child.

Q: How do you view your role in confronting policy or curriculum controversies: provide leadership even if unpopular, give a voice to constituents - even ones with whom you disagree, or defer to state authorities?

A: As a board member my role is to ensure that district policy and procedures are being followed. As an individual board member I take not only community feedback, but also the well being and safety of all members of our District's student body, Staff, their families, and the community at large into account with every vote I cast as a Board member.

Q: Concerns are growing regarding a new resurgence of the pandemic. If another massive outbreak of infectious disease occurs, what have we learned from the COVID-19 pandemic that will guide your decision making?

A: With regard to the Covid-19 virus, we have vaccines which are proven effective in protection from Covid-19 death, and ample time has been given for everyone who wanted the vaccines to receive them, so we're not starting from scratch when it comes to variants of this particular virus. I have said from the start of the Covid-19 outbreak that I am not an infectious diseases expert. Our country has historically always depended on the guidelines provided to us by medical experts when it comes to highly contagious diseases (polio, smallpox, measles, mumps, etc.) which have been almost completely eradicated. Human beings by nature crave safety, human interaction (Belonging), and the feeling that we all matter. As a board member I weigh all of those things, and use all available tools to keep student instruction in person (where studies show they thrive), and free from the constant threat of disruption to their learning that outbreak shutdowns would cause.

Q: Describe your experience working in a group setting to determine policy. What is your style in such a setting to reach agreement and manage school district policy? Explain how you think that will be effective in producing effective actions and decisions of your school board.

A: Being a Board member on the Policy committee & as board President, I have been part of successful labor contract negotiations. I am also constantly involved with my fellow board members in policy discussion, review of state/federal updates, and occasionally new policy creation where the board saw a need to more clearly define rules. The entire process requires you to respect others' views and ideas while you work to build a consensus. As a board member I take the process very seriously and believe that policy is THE most important factor guiding the District by effectively defining rules to create consistency among the culture of our District.

Q: What makes you the best candidate for the job?

A: I am honored every day to have this awesome responsibility of improving the quality of public education for children of all ages, incomes and backgrounds in my community! Every idea I bring forward, and every vote I cast as a board member is taking our students, staff & taxpayer's best interests into account, always. Public Education is extremely important to me personally because I know firsthand what it means to have a teacher that left a lifelong impression by being there for me when I needed their guidance & compassion most. I know there are public school teachers just like mine in our District who are making the same lifelong impact on their students when they need it most. There has been an unrelenting attack on public schools and educators for quite some time, and I feel it's important to do what I can to fight for Public Education and bring respect back to the incredibly important teaching profession who are impacting the lives of our students every day!

Q: What's one good idea you have to better your district that no one is talking about yet?

A: 1) Work tirelessly with ALL elected officials advocating for the things we require as a Public School District for our students to be more successful learners. Adequately funded Public Education should be a bipartisan value - It's important that our elected officials fully support quality public education and are working hard in their elected role to help our students succeed.

2) Get feedback from students/staff/parents at the conclusion of each trimester on district strengths and weaknesses so that we are constantly improving upon ourselves throughout the school year and beyond.