CharMeckVotes.org

Tim Morgan – School Board District 6

Website: www.morganforschoolboard.net

E-mail: tmorgan11@carolina.rr.com

Phone Number:: 704-577-3102

Current Occupation:: Real Estate Professional

Education–Highest Degree:: Master of Public Administration

What District are you running in?: District 6

Did/do you have children attending public school in the CMS system?: Yes

Please share with us a short personal/professional biography:
Raised in Charlotte and have lived in the region most of my adult life.
Graduate of Independence H.S. (1986).
Married to Janet Mackey Morgan (North Mecklenburg H.S.).
Children: Taylor & Bryce (10th & 9th grades at Ardrey Kell H.S.), Elizabeth (deceased-former special needs student at Eastover E.S.).
Appalachian State University (Bachelor of Science)
UNC-Chapel Hill (Master of Public Administration)
Career: I have spent my professional life working in the real estate industry, for 2 regional chambers of commerce, and Lincoln County government.

Most important organizations you belong to (up to three):

South Mecklenburg Presbyterian Church (Elder & Senior High Sunday School Teacher)
Boy Scout Troop 119 (Scoutmaster & Eagle Scout)
Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Commission (Vice Chair)

List up to three (3) of your most important political/civic accomplishments in the last five (5) years:

Mecklenburg County Citizens Capital Budget Advisory Committee (2003-2007)
Governor Martin’s School Building Solutions Committee (2006)
Partners for School Reform (2004-2006)

What makes you the most qualified candidate?

I have more experience working with CMS issues than any candidate in the District 6 race.

I spent 5 years on the Mecklenburg County Citizens Capital Budget Advisory Committee working to find ways to build schools and other county capital projects more efficiently. Following the failed 2006 bond referendum, I was appointed to Governor Martin’s School Building Solutions Committee which was charged with developing a new capital plan to bring back to the voters. I also served on the CMS Long-Range School Facilities Master Plan Task Force.

My family has personally experienced the impacts of student assignment decisions. We helped open Hawk Ridge Elementary School. Four years later we were re-assigned and opened Endhaven Elementary School. Two years later, we were re-assigned again and opened Community House Middle School. Finally, when the attendance zone for Ardrey Kell High School was set the concerns of my neighborhood were ignored. In addition, my family has experienced the challenges of having a special-needs student in CMS and understands the issues other families face when ensuring their special-needs child receives appropriate educational services.

Through my involvement with Scouts, my church, and the Park and Recreation Commission, I work with youth and their families on a daily basis and understand their educational issues and concerns.

What do you believe is the single most important investment the school district can make to improve student achievement?

We are a diverse system and there is no one silver bullet that is going to help improve student achievement among all children. I look at student performance as a three-legged stool. The CMS Board has direct influence over 2 of the 3 legs; hiring effective teachers and administrators, and providing the necessary resources (books, buildings, transportation, etc). The third leg is parental involvement. When a parent is active in their child’s education, student achievement will improve and that student will have a much better chance of succeeding in school and life. The Board needs to work with community-based organizations (i.e. religious institutions, neighborhood associations, youth-oriented groups, etc.) to develop ways to increase parental involvement.

Seven recommended goals in the CMS strategic plan 2014 are: Highly Effective Educators, Highly Effective Leaders, Performance Management, Developing Digital Citizens, Environmental Sustainability, Support Services for Positive Choices and Parent & Community Connections. Which of these is the most important to you and how would your leadership ensure that goal is met?

Parent & Community Connections: What is the biggest difference between high performing schools and low performing schools? Parental involvement! The expectations for most high performers are set at home. These parents understand the importance of a quality education. They review homework, attend PTA meetings, make sure their kids are in a safe environment after school, volunteer on a regular basis at school, and demand their schools have effective teachers and administrators. Low performing schools struggle with parental involvement for a variety of reasons: more single-parents, difficult work schedules, transportation issues, and financial constraints. The Board needs to identify ways to work with parents from low performing schools to help them understand CMS cannot succeed without their support and involvement. Secondly, community-based organizations need to be brought to the table to help develop after school programs that keep youth safe and promotes academic performance.

How can residents in your district (including parents, students and others) be engaged in the work of elevating student achievement? What will you do to support their efforts?

District 6 parents want stability. Over the last several years, student assignment issues have negatively impacted families at every high school, and many of the middle and elementary schools, in District 6. In addition, we have seen popular principals and effective teachers moved to other areas. These changes have forced many families to re-consider their commitment to CMS and public schools. District 6 parents want to know their issues and concerns are being addressed. The Board needs to develop ways to solicit meaningful community input prior to major decisions and communicate to residents that their concerns are being addressed as issues are decided.