EDUCATION
Classroom-Prioritized Funding
With public education getting over 60% of state tax dollars, over half of local taxes, federal funding, and grants, there is no reason why teachers and parents should be responsible for classroom supplies. Accountable spending needs to be prioritized where it hits the classroom.
The job of public education is to equip teachers and students to produce educated citizens for the public good, which is where it should be prioritized. Taxpayer dollars are best spent where they hit the classroom special needs, such as Exceptional Learners, AIG/Gifted, ESL/English Second Language, classroom supplies, teacher aids, and other resources, not divisive initiatives. Cheryl will fight in the General Assembly to ensure state education dollars are being prioritized to fund classrooms, academic success, and remove the politics from the classroom.
Advocating for All Children
Every child has potential regardless of abilities. School districts must give all students the same opportunities instead of putting the needs of some in front of the needs of others. Resources for all student needs, whether they are ESL, special needs, or AIG, should be our top priority.
School Choice
Education is not “one size fits all” because each child is a unique learner. If students are struggling in education models not suitable for their individual needs, they need choices to help them succeed. Opportunity Scholarships are funds that follow the student, and because school choice funding does not siphon away allotted public school funds, which comes from a separate appropriation, public schools can still enjoy over half of state and local dollars, along with federal funding and grants. While every school board should be committed to making public schools the top choice for families, to deny children Opportunity Scholarships is to advocate for only some children, not all. Cheryl encourages school boards to re-prioritize spending to give teachers and students the resources they need in the classroom.
Bullying and School Violence
A top reason Cheryl ran for school board was to address the growing concerns of bullying and school violence in our schools. She has advocated to improve school safety, support school resource officers and address disruptions and safety challenges in our schools.
TRANSPARENCY AND GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY
Clarity. Integrity. Action.
As a member of the Wake County School Board, Cheryl has been an advocate for government transparency on a state and local level. She believes North Carolina needs to make changes to our laws and policies regarding transparency and accountability, especially when it involves the safety of school children. As a State Senator, she will sponsor legislation to require transparency in the matters of student safety, while still protecting the wishes and privacy of the students.
Cheryl also supports legislation requiring school districts to publish all central office information, relative to taxpayer dollars and allocation of funds. This legislation would provide all the relevant information needed for budget planning for school board members and taxpayers.
Cheryl consistently champions common-sense policies and greater transparency that directly benefit our students in the classroom, and she will continue to do so as your State Senator.
SECURING OUR BORDERS
Illegal Immigrants and Drug, and Human Trafficking
Law & Order — Cheryl would vote to require local law enforcement to cooperate with immigration authorities to detain violent illegal immigrants, drug and human traffickers. She believes in strong enforcement of our national and state borders to protect our citizens from deadly fentanyl and human trafficking.
ECONOMICS
Property Taxes
For many North Carolinians, their home represents their most significant financial investment and source of long-term security. Soaring home prices along with increased property taxes have resulted in crushing tax bills, forcing people with fixed incomes, including the elderly and disabled, out of their own homes. Wake County’s taxes have jumped 50%. Cheryl supports the “Protect Our Homes Act,” which limits the increase on taxable home values, protects homes from creditors, and expands exclusions for veterans and seniors.
SUPPORT OUR VETERANS
🇺🇸 Serving Those Who Have Served 🇺🇸
Our service men and women sacrifice so much for our country and to keep us safe. We owe it to them to support our Veterans when they return back home. Too much homelessness, or lack of proper medical assistance leaves our heros without the right care. Cheryl will fight to protect the rights and services for our Veterans and show them the respect and honor they deserve.
VAPING EPIDEMIC
Fighting the Invisible Health Crisis
One of the highest teen suspensions in school is from vaping on school grounds, often leading to attendance struggles and suspensions, which results in loss of instruction, leaving our students to fall even further behind.
Education is key to being proactive and partnering with families. State education requires health education 6th - 9th grade, leaving older teens with limited resources and education. Only some elementary schools use the DARE program to introduce law enforcement to drug and alcohol prevention programs. Currently, education stops in the 9th grade. With growing concerns about expanding vaping products, it is important to educate all children younger, including the parents in those conversations, and continue year-round through 12th grade. We must also recognize the loopholes and inconsistencies that allow too many children to fall through the cracks. This is why Cheryl started a coalition to specifically address the drug and vaping crisis, along with meeting with municipalities to change UDO and ordinances to make sure vape shops are not in close proximity to our schools, she will continue to work on educating families and will work as your senator towards finding solutions for this challenge.