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School Board Candidates: Shearra Miller

Shearra Miller
I am married to Tim, and both of our daughters, Rebekah and Kathlene, are teachers in Cleveland County Schools. We are members of Central United Methodist Church in Kings Mountain. I am currently the Vice-Chair of the Cleveland County Board of Education, the Immediate Past President of the NC School Boards Association and a member of the Federal Relations Network for the National School Boards Association. I served on the Kings Mountain Board of Education prior to being appointed to the County Board. I am the Executive Director of the Cleveland County Arts Council, the President of the Shelby Breakfast Rotary Club; I have served on numerous boards and committees throughout the county over the years. I graduated from Meredith College and UNC-Charlotte.)
1. Why are you running for the school board?
I want to make a difference in the lives of our children. I care about our students and the quality of education they receive. Student learning; their growth and achievement, are my top priorities. I want to make sure this remains a priority in Cleveland County Schools. I believe that all children can learn, and that they deserve the very best education we can give them. I have high expectations, a passion for public education, and a desire to help our students become better prepared for the future.
In my time serving Cleveland County Schools, we have strengthened arts education programs, built on traditions of athletic excellence, and laid the foundations for an advanced technology curriculum. I believe that my past experience as a board member qualifies me to serve, but I don't think it's my most important qualification. My passion for public education and my desire to help our students prepare for the future are my strongest qualifications and this passion and desire motivate me to seek reelection. The 15,109 children right here in Cleveland County that are the reason I want to continue to serve on the school board.
2. What are the big issues the school board will face in the next four years?
I think that funding will continue to be a big issue for the board. There are several building projects that the board has wanted to begin and complete in the past several years. The reason this hasn't happened is the lack of capital funding. Keeping up with the changing demands of technology will also be an issue. We have a strong foundation in technology but the rapid changes and lack of funding make it difficult to keep up and advance. The board will continue to work with administrators and teachers to make sure that technology is being used appropriately and effectively to enhance student learning. The school board must continue working to increase the graduation rate and close the achievement gap.
The school board must also be proactive in addressing issues before they become major problems. A good school board member works well with others: fellow board members, administrative staff, teachers, support personnel, parents, and the community. A good board member builds bridges and partnerships in the community. A good board member is the number one advocate for the school system. This is the kind of board member I have been and will continue to be. I am honest, I listen, I have an open mind, I want what is fair, and I work hard.
3. What are we doing right in the Cleveland County Schools? What are we doing wrong?
There are a lot of good things happening every day in Cleveland County Schools. Teachers and staff are working hard to make sure our students are ready for the future. We have caring folks who go the extra mile to make sure that student needs are met both inside and outside of the classroom. We have nationally recognized schools, we have the highest graduation rate in our county's history, we have music and arts programs that continue to receive awards and student athletes that are winning championships every year. Student learning is a priority for our school system. All of this happens because we, not just the school board, are working together to make the right things happen.
I would not say that we are not intentionally doing anything wrong. Cleveland County Schools is a great school system and while we are doing a lot of good things, we are not perfect. There are things we can and should do better. Most of our schools (71%) met or exceeded expected growth this past year on end of grade testing. That's good but I want all of our schools to exceed those expectations. Our graduation rate has improved, but I am not satisfied that 13% of students in our county still leave high school without a diploma. Also, we need to make sure that all of our students are leaving school truly prepared for the future, whether that future is college, the work force or the armed services. We need to continue to focus on closing the achievement gap, we cannot stop until there is no gap.


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