Who is Annette Albright, 2023 candidate for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools board?

Name: Annette Albright

Age as of Nov. 7, 2023: 57

Campaign website: www.cmsunity.com

Occupation: Judicial services coordinator

Education: Associate of science in corrections and juvenile services; bachelor’s degree in criminal justice; master’s degree in organizational management and leadership development.

Have you run for elected office before?

Yes. In 2017, I ran for the board of education District 2 seat. I placed second behind incumbent Rhonda Cheek, who won the seat. In 2019, I ran for BOE at-large. I placed six out of 12 candidates.

Please list your highlights of civic involvement

I have worked on several campaigns in different capacities over the years. I have been a vocal advocate over the years for safe schools. In 2018, I was invited to the White House to share my experience of being assaulted by students in a Charlotte high school. My input led to the repel of federal mandates that made schools unsafe. Locally, I have worked to keep parents informed and engaged in their local government and the governance of Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools.

What are your ideas for improving student performance if elected to the CMS board?

The first thing we must do is to ensure that we have a competent leader in place that can navigate the complexities of this district. Immediately, we must begin the task of ensuring all CMS schools are safe havens for learning. Educators cannot teach in unsafe environments and students cannot learn in unsafe environments. Families will not send their children to unsafe environments; CMS can’t hire qualified teachers to work in unsafe environments. School safety will be a top priority. The best educators can’t improve student performance in unsafe environments.

Will you support the $2.5 billion bond that will be on the November ballot for school projects? Why or why not?

I will personally support the bond because I understand that some of our facilities are in dire shape and others need to be totally replaced. I also understand the apprehension of the public to support this bond as CMS has not been good stewards of tax dollars, and maintenance and upkeep on many facilities has been lacking which has led to expensive costs and repairs. I am also concerned about how projects are prioritized. As a board member, I will ensure that all bond dollars are being spent as they should be and in an equitable manner. The public will be kept informed of where we are with projects, and schools with dire needs will receive priority.

What’s your opinion on school book bans or decisions to limit the audience for particular titles. And how would you approach the problem if a parent brought a book to your attention?

First, we must be very clear on what is book banning and what is ensuring that materials in public schools are 1) adding to the academic learning environment. 2) age appropriate. If a parent approached me with an issue about specific books being on a public-school shelf, these are the first questions I would ask. I also would not mind a rating system for books that are placed on shelves in high schools that may contain more explicit language, thoughts and ideology.

How will you prioritize projects if the bond referendum is approved in November? And how would you approach deciding on major construction needs more broadly?

Seeing that I wasn’t at the table when that project list was built and I have the same information that the rest of public has, I cannot answer that question. I can say that bond money should be used as voted upon by the taxpayers. If elected, my approach to project needs would be simple. We have students being educated in trailers and schools that don’t have proper ventilation systems. I worked in a CMS where we had to place buckets in the hall to catch rainwater. Those type of projects would be at the top of any bond I worked on.

What are your ideas for CMS to foster good relationships with towns and different communities across Mecklenburg County?

In order for CMS to foster good relationships with towns and different communities across Mecklenburg County, they have to be true to what they say they are going to do. Honesty, transparency, and accountability is what the public has demanded from CMS for years but has not gotten.

What separates you from you opponents and makes you the best choice on November’s ballot?

What separates me from opponents and makes me the best choice on November’s ballot is simple. First, I am the only candidate that has worked the infamous coined “school-to-prison” pipeline. I understand what that looks like and what the true challenges are, and I know what it will take to derail that pipeline. I have been working in Charlotte advocating for changes to the public education system since 2016 after working within the system for 3.5 years and witnessing firsthand how and why the public school system is failing students. I know that education is the best and most readily available resource we have to breaking the cycle of poverty, hopelessness, and despair for so many of our youth. Lastly, I am a person of integrity, I am true to my word, and I am committed to improving the public education system for all students.