Who is Sean Strain, District 6 CMS Board of Education candidate?
Name: Sean Strain
School board seat you’re seeking: District 6, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education
Age as of Nov. 8, 2022: 50
Campaign website: www.seanstrain.com
Email: sean@seanstrain.com
Occupation: Business and systems consultant
Education: BS, Computer Engineering
Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought): Yes. 2017, same seat.
Please list your highlights of civic involvement: Multiple non-profit boards; SIT; 5 years of public service on BOE
What qualities, skills and experiences do you think would make a good superintendent for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools?
Chief executive with strong, demonstrated history of strategic vision, advancing strategic goals; operational excellence; recruiting, building strong team and team cohesion; delegating, empowering and holding team accountable; pK-12 experience
CMS, along with other districts across the country and state, has lost a lot of teachers. What are your ideas to keep teachers in CMS classrooms?
Strong commitment to educational and workplace environment; strong leadership, expectations and accountability; partnership with the Department of Social Services at the school level to own, deliver social services
What solutions would you offer to improve student and employee safety on CMS school campuses?
Enhanced security (SROs, CSAs, scanners); work with district attorney and N.C. General Assembly to explore additional responsibility, accountability of families for adolescent violations of law; ensure expectations set appropriately for school culture/conduct and Code of Conduct enforced equally by school and classroom leaders; work with county, municipal and faith leaders to address in the community and not just in the school
How do you define CMS’ achievement gap? How can CMS bridge the achievement gap, raise test scores and get the 50 district schools off of the low-performing list?
25% of CMS 3rd grade students are reading and writing at a level they need to in order to retain all options and opportunities for their future. Twenty-five percent. Among Black and Hispanic students, this number is 13.5%. Lowering standards and expectations to “give” grades and promotions rather than earning through effort and performance will never accelerate learning, as is required, and deliver strong student performance. Raise the expectations and accountability measures for all involved.
Why should voters choose you over your opponents?
A consistent voice of reason, voice for students and their futures. A track record of service, setting expectations necessarily high and holding individuals, teams and the organization accountable. Deliberative collaboration to advance goals rather than ideological partisan agendas. Consistent and persistent focus on mission, vision and goals. students first!
This story was originally published October 3, 2022 at 1:33 PM.
