Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The Candidate

Name

Cammie Paige Webb

Age

54

Address

Riverbend Drive, Advance

Family

Husband, George Webb; children, Cassidy Webb, Maggie Webb Norris (Brantley)

Education

UNCC and Salem College: BA Sociology, teaching certification special education (K-12); master’s in teaching learning disabilities

Occupation

Follett School Solutions, Director of Early Childhood and Classroom Libraries, retired

In The Community

• Founding board member and incoming president of Cognition Davie

• Advisory board member of Davie County Recreation and Parks

• Board member of Davidson County Community College Foundation

• Committee member of Parkinson’s Foundation Moving Day

• Past board member of Smart Start of Davie

• Attend Calvary West

Why did you decide to seek public office?

Webb: As a multigenerational Davie County resident, I have dedicated my life to serving and supporting our community, and in particular, our children. After leaving the corporate world, I planned to spend my reclaimed time investing in our community in various volunteer capacities.  However, after realizing our county had a dire need for qualified candidates running for the Board of Education, I decided to step up. Davie County’s students, staff, and families deserve highly qualified advocates representing them on the Board of Education. With my years of experience as a Davie County Schools parent and educator, as well as my decade spent working in school districts across the country, I am confident that I can be a voice for all children in our county.

What do you think are the most significant challenges facing the school system, and how do you intend to address those challenges? 

Webb: With the unprecedented time out of school due to COVID-19, our students, staff, and families are facing challenges daily. I applaud Davie County Schools for its work to meet the needs of children virtually, provide resources for remote home learning, and facilitate a hybrid learning model. Our educators’ expertise and professionalism should be celebrated throughout our community. However, the impacts of this unusual pause from regular classroom instruction will likely have lingering effects on student achievement, social and emotional needs, and learning gaps in at-risk populations. These realities must be faced with accurate and reliable data to drive practices once in-class time and more normalcy resumes. We must explore the additional resources required to recover from the interruption. I will encourage policies that develop innovative quality learning and increased learning opportunities such as extended schedules, additional summer enrichment options, and staffing strategies to ensure low teacher to student ratios.

Additionally, one of many unfortunate byproducts of this time period is an increased level of disengaged students. Research shows that chronic absenteeism and unmotivated students increase the risk of dropouts. To address this risk, I will promote a critical review of how to best connect with these students and ensure their individual needs are being met by our schools.

What are the next major construction needs for the schools?

Webb: Davie County Schools has an existing blueprint for capital expenditures based on a 10-year facilities plan. Working alongside the other Board of Education members, I will continue assessing this facilities plan that has effectively guided our needs for the past eight years.

One particular area that I will prioritize reviewing will be the elementary schools. For years, our elementary schools have required “learning cottages” in order to adequately accommodate our growing student population. My goal is to advance any and all efforts to reduce the number of “learning cottages” and see that each elementary school student has a safer learning environment. I realize that any such action will be dependent upon available funding and enrollment numbers, which may continue to fluctuate due to COVID-19 and virtual learning options.

Other Issues

Webb: As a former educator and business leader in the educational publishing industry, I have extensive knowledge and personal experience with public schools and their governance. As a member of the Board of Education, I will collaborate with other board members and stakeholders to ask difficult questions, think outside the box, and find innovative, effective approaches to help each child reach their full potential.

I believe our children and their futures are not partisan issues. I will work to ensure children are thriving in rich environments that promote motivation, innovation, creativity, and real-world learning experiences. I will also encourage opportunities for students to develop deep, retained knowledge and essential social and emotional skills. I will advocate to advance equity to populations that are often undeserved. Through every endeavor, safety and security for all students will remain an utmost priority.

I believe our teachers and staff are our most valuable resources. I will support initiatives to retain and continue acquiring the brightest and best educators. I will advocate for educators to have the tools and professional development necessary to connect with each student and see them succeed.

I believe our schools must be an integral part of our county. I will promote transparency and active communication with families, staff, and the community. I will work closely with Davie County officials in a concerted effort to maintain optimal local funding.

Ultimately, I will actively involve all stakeholders to promote a district and community that prioritize our children’s success.