Civility, Community, Commitment
About Ellie Collins for School Board
MY BACKGROUND
Ellie is a graduate of Winston-Salem State University with a B.A. in History. She is a strong public school advocate and has worked as a substitute teacher and as a volunteer tutor.
Ellie is a member of Brownson Presbyterian Church where she has served as an Elder. She is a member of the League of Women Voters of Moore County, the NAACP, and the Sandhills Coalition for Peace, Love & Justice. She is a supporter of Partners for Children & Families, Males of Distinction, Sandhills PRIDE, the Southern Pines Land & Housing Trust, the West Southern Pines Civic Club, the Weymouth Center for the Arts & Humanities, the Arts Council of Moore County, and the Sunrise Theater. Ellie serves as co-chair of the Bold Initiative Team at Brownson Church with an emphasis on addressing systemic racism and poverty in Moore County. She is president of the Knollwood Village Condo Association.
When elected to the Moore County Board of Education, Ellie pledges to bring civility back to the school board, work closely with the Superintendent of schools, listen to teachers, students, and parents and treat everyone with respect. Ellie believes that a fully funded public school education is the bedrock of democracy.
Recruitment and Retention of Quality Teachers, Staff, and Bus Drivers
Recruiting and keeping good teachers, staff, and bus drivers goes beyond better pay, although that is a key component. The school board’s focus also needs to be on fostering an environment where teachers, staff and bus drivers feel welcomed and supported. School board members need to listen and hear what it takes to keep employees in their positions because importantly these are the people who care for our most precious resources…our children.
Bringing Civility Back to the School Board
This is a key component of Ellie’s campaign. School board members should act with respect towards one another and towards teachers, staff, parents and students. Sniping between members does nothing to address and resolve critical school issues. Are teachers being supported? Are school buses getting students to and from school on time? None of the personal back-and-forth of the past few years between board members has enriched our students’ understanding of the essentials of math, science, reading, and social studies. It is imperative that we elect serious, dedicated individuals who will put issues above personalities and politics.
Academic Achievement for All Moore County Students
All public school students, regardless of race, creed, gender, religion, or ethnicity deserve an academic experience where qualified teachers and staff promote academic achievement and excellence.
Ellie is a strong supporter of public schools, but recognizes that some families may choose private or charter schools. However, she believes that public funds should support public education.
Community and Commitment
Parents and guardians should have a voice both in their children’s education and the school system that is charged with adhering to that goal. There are families in Moore County who are parents of students who may be part of the LGBTQ community, or are supporters of the community, who feel their voices and views were not supported by the adoption of the Parents Bill of Rights or by the removal of certain books from school libraries. Ellie is in favor of listening and taking into consideration the rights and views of all. Students’ voices—and their wellbeing, both physical and emotional, need to be taken into consideration. School is a place where all students need to feel safe in order to be able to learn and grow.
