Donna Davis Westbrooks

Donna Davis Westbrooks

• Candidate Biography

  My name is Donna Westbrooks and I am a candidate for the Alamance-Burlington School Board.

  I am a lifelong citizen of Alamance County. As I was growing up, my mother was a homemaker and my dad always worked in some type of service-related job. His last job was serving Alamance County as a deputy sheriff and tragically was killed in the line of duty September 1, 1970. He left behind his wife and 3 children. It was a very hard time for my family but there were many people in our wonderful county who prayed for and supported us all.

  I grew up and later graduated from Cummings High School and later Elon College where I received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mathematics/Education. I worked as a math teacher for 20 years, most of that time at Graham High School. I decided to pursue a career in administration and received my Masters of School Administration degree from UNC-Chapel Hill. I served ABSS as an assistant principal at Williams High School for 6 years and Hawfields Middle School for 3 years. I always had a passion for helping new teachers so when the opportunity to apply for the Director of Teacher Recruitment occurred, I did so and happily was hired. I worked in this role for 2 years and after much thought and prayer, decided to retire in 2017. After I retired, my church, First United Methodist Church of Elon, asked if I would take the Director job of our half-day preschool which I did and served in that role for 5 years before retiring again. I have been married to Ricky for 39 years and have 2 wonderful children: Lauren who is a nursing director for an at-home care organization and Grant who works for the Alamance County Sheriff’s Department and also serves as the SRO for AO Elementary School. Both of my children, as well as my husband, are also graduates of ABSS. Between my children, I have 6 handsome grandsons, 4 who attend an ABSS school.

  I worked in public education for over 30 years and during that time I worked with many kids and teachers and built wonderful relationships. I believe the key for a successful student starts with the relationships they build with their teacher and other support staff within their schools. I understand the feelings and concerns of an educator. I’ve been there. I’ve walked in their shoes. It’s not an easy job, but it is absolutely a worthwhile one. It’s a calling and not everyone can do it and not everyone can understand it. I want to be part of our school system again because I did it and I do understand it. I believe I have the knowledge and experience that can only benefit the collaborative decisions that will need to be made in ABSS.

  I am asking once again for your support as I continue this journey. I have never had a personal agenda because I have always been an advocate for ALL kids and doing what is in their best interest. I promise that I will always do what is best for the children in Alamance County. They will one day be the leaders of our county!

• What motivated you to run for ABSS Board of Education?

  I have lived in Alamance County my entire life. I graduated from this school system and worked either as a teacher, a school administrator, or a central services administrator for 32 years before retiring. I am also a parent of ABSS graduates and a grandparent of children currently in ABSS schools. I have worn every "hat" possible in regards to our school system and believe I am uniquely qualified to make the best decisions that will ultimately affect all citizens of our county. It was hard to leave once I retired and after I did, I knew I had to return in some capacity. Continuing serving our kids, staff, and families as a school board member is just the best logical step for my life.

• What are your three highest priorities for the county school system?

  SAFETY: Developing and implementing appropriate policies/procedures (safety plans) for each school; consistently upgrade and maintain our schools and facilities; continue to provide SROs for every school; secure appropriate security equipment in every school and facility; conduct scheduled consistent safety drills; budget funds for appropriate support personnel to serve the mental and emotional needs of our students; develop and implement alternative discipline plans that will keep our kids in school; provide athletic trainers in all of our high schools.

  TEACHING AND LEARNING: Provide appropriate and updated resources and training for all staff; encourage stronger relationships between students and personnel; develop a plan that will assist in teacher retention; provide competitive salaries for all staff; provide programs that will encourage students to enter one of the 3 E’s (education, enlistment, employment); develop and implement alternative discipline plans that will keep our kids in school; provide a quality and equitable education for ALL students.

  COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Be an advocate for all stakeholders, including students, teachers, parents, administration, and support personnel; collaborate with other board members and the county commissioners and build stronger relationships that will only benefit our kids; keep the community updated with vital information regarding our schools; be visible in schools.

• What strategies would you implement to ensure that all Alamance County students have access to a high-quality education that prepares them for their future?

  As taxpayers, we all have the duty and obligation to make sure ALL of our children have the best possible education we can provide in order that they may become active, productive citizens as adults. As a school board member, I am responsible for making sure we have policies and procedures in place that empower our teachers to be creative and innovative with their craft. We need to provide resources and opportunities for all students, regardless of the school they attend and/or the community in which he/she lives. Staff and students also need to have a safe and healthy environment that is conducive to the teaching and learning process. This requires an open and transparent relationship with our county commissioners and state leaders. All of this ultimately requires a superintendent who will guide and support school staff to plan appropriately for these areas and who will in turn work to establish close working relationships with county leaders and stakeholders. Having the right person in place is also the work of the school board and I will personally hold that individual accountable in making sure all educational needs are being met for our children.

• How would you approach issues of budget, prioritization, and resource allocation?

  ABSS has obviously been experiencing budget constraints that has made some of these issues challenging. It was a priority, when setting the budget for this school year, to minimize or refrain from terminating people, if at all possible. Making these kinds of decisions is always hard regardless how necessary they may be.

  But, to answer this question, a budget obviously has to be set taking into consideration all of the local, state, and federal monies we may be privy to for the school year. People, money and resources have to be allocated in a way that provides each student with the unique experiences they are entitled to which in turn will result in rigorous outcomes. We should cater to the needs of each student so that every one of them will reach their full potential while learning and training in the area that interests them the most. The priorities I listed in a previous question outlines what I believe is in the best interest of all students that will allow them to be successful. 

• What is required for an effective relationship between the ABSS Board of Education and Alamance County Commissioners, and how will you work toward that as an elected official?

  I believe that a strong relationship between county commissioner members and school board members begins with open and honest communication. Having the realization that we are all working towards the same goal which is to provide a safe and heathy environment for all students and staff should stay in the forefront of our minds. Attending each other’s regular public meetings as well as establishing a time for representatives from each board to meet is also beneficial. Also, I would encourage both boards to attend any available training that could help each of us understand the roles and responsibilities of the other while building a stronger relationship between the two boards. I am all about praising the positives and working together on negatives. Pointing blame is useless and takes too much energy. Transparency and effective communication has to be accepted by all. I feel that I have positive personal relationships with all the members of the county commissioners individually now, but any relationship can always be stronger.

• How will you ensure that the voice of students, families, and the broader community are heard in the decision-making related to the county school system?

  As a current board member, we provide and embrace various avenues of communication with students, families, and the community. Public comments are allowed at our nightly meetings once a month. We have also conducted surveys for various “issues,” such as redistricting and when hiring a superintendent. We also receive emails and phone calls from many of our community members and speaking only for myself, I respond accordingly when it is appropriate. I am always open to listening to anyone who wants to share their thoughts and opinions relating to any topic. I have also been interested in having zonal meetings if that is something the community would embrace.  We have an obligation to listen to all viewpoints within our community. However, when a vote is required, I have always stated that I reflect and pray before casting any vote and do so according to what I feel is in the best interest of all children. I will continue to do so if re-elected.   

• How do you plan to address the long-term needs of the district, such as facilities maintenance, growth management, and future planning?

  The chief operations officer and assistant county manager have worked very closely the last year in regards to the facilities of ABSS. Both boards have been supportive regarding a timeline for facility improvements, especially in regards to our current need of new roofs and HVAC systems. They have developed a strong trusting and collaborative relationship and we are proud of the outcomes that have occurred. My hope is that they will continue to work closely together and establish a maintenance plan that will be supported by both boards.

  In regards to growth management and future planning, I will of course support the administration in our district regarding potential planning. However, I would like to see developing some type of action plan with community representatives to address future needs and concerns. We were fortunate to do this when developing past strategic plans and the outcome for future planning could surely be a successful community supported plan. Involving our families, community leaders and faith based leaders would foster strong collaboration, support and a true sense of community commitment.

• Please share a specific leadership experience that illustrates how you will be effective as a leader for Alamance County.

  I have been involved in leadership during the majority of my career. I was a teacher leader where I served as head of the math department, mentor, peer evaluator, Key Club advisor, and served/chaired multiple committees. As an assistant principal, I was responsible for overseeing various departments, such as Exceptional Children, Math, Athletics, Freshman Academy, and much more. For the last 2 years of my career at ABSS, I was the Director of Human Resources/Teacher Recruitment which allowed my leadership skills to take on new challenges. After retiring, I became the director of a church preschool and served for 5 years. Choosing a “specific” experience is difficult.

  While serving as an assistant principal at Williams High School, the current principal left in June and the “new” principal was not coming until September. I was told that I was in charge and had to get the school ready to open for staff and students by August. This included making the main schedule for classes, teacher schedules, EC scheduling, holding a leadership team meeting, having a Summer Freshman Camp, and much more. I found it challenging yet rewarding and knew that I was good at seeing the “big picture.” I still am!