} I was 5. $('#candidate-connection-twitter-122579').on('click', () => { ga('send', 'event', 'surveycta', 'surveycta-click-twitter'); }); color: #0645ad; in journalism from the University of Texas at Austin. } Ballotpedia features 409,311 encyclopedic articles written and curated by our professional staff of editors, writers, and researchers. margin: 0; }) All of this must happen within the framework of the standards set by the state. $('#candidate-connection-twitter-122571').on('click', () => { ga('send', 'event', 'surveycta', 'surveycta-click-twitter'); }); Op-Ed By: Rick Mercier Johnston County Board of Education Candidate. position: relative; font-weight: 300; The bonds would also enable security-related technology upgrades to schools. }) .inner_percentage.CrossFiled { .votebox_legend { .results_row td { A news release from the Board of Ed concerning its study of district elections. } height: 22px; } Teacher assistants in all K-2 classrooms: We must have teaching assistants in all K-2 classrooms, and they should be in the classroom during all instructional hours of the day. Four candidates either declined or did not respond to our questionnaire. width: 150px; We are tracking data on student achievement and growth throughout the year and holding principals accountable while also offering many of the necessary supports to enable improvement. .contact_entity {font-size: 1.0em ;margin-top: 0.6em; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-right: 0.5em;} .widget-row.value-only { line-height: 1.5em; .results_table { width: 100% Occupation: communications manager, Town of Garner. Theres also this glaring problem with countywide voting for district seats: A candidate can lose (and even lose badly) in his or her district but still win the election. Scott Bolejack $('#candidate-connection-email-74539').on('click', () => { ga('send', 'event', 'surveycta', 'surveycta-click-email'); }); I know JCPS leaders want to do this. .inner_percentage.Republican { position: relative; Below are his answers to questions from the Johnstonian News. } on .mw-body #mw-content-text .votebox .race_header h5.votebox-header-election-type { }) What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? Click here to read the survey answers. background-color: #f4f4f4; width: 100%; padding-bottom: 0px; Before entering local government with the Town of Garner, I had been in print journalism and teaching since the mid-1990s. }) margin-bottom: 0px; .widget-row.Libertarian { .clearfix {

, See also:Johnston County Schools, North Carolina, elections (2022). } I have two daughters in Johnston County Public Schools-one at East Clayton Elementary, another who will be attending SSS starting in the fall. } I serve on the Johnston County Partnership for Childrens Summer Learning Loss Action Committee. overflow-x: auto; Teachers should receive proper instruction in the science of reading. background-color: #003388; font-style: italic; div.oneoff-scrollbox.regular { height:400px; overflow:scroll; margin:20px; padding:10px; border:1px solid gray; } color: white; Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it. } ul.key-messages {list-style-type: none; margin-left:10px; } } padding-left: 10px; .large-date { text-align: center; margin-top: 30px; margin-bottom: 20px; font-size: 20px; font-weight: 600;} padding-left: 8px; MERCIER: Most of the students in those schools were high-achieving when they were accepted into those programs. }) These programs should appeal to the needs of students and employers. float: left; If it takes awhile and requires the involvement of UNC School of Government and other outside expertise, so what? $('.collapse').collapse('hide'); font-weight: 200; $('.showResponses').on('click', () => { .race_header.libertarian { margin: 0; | We cant ever let our focus stray from this. I love it in all of its weird complexity. font-size: 12px; .votebox-results-metadata-p { Fair enough. State executives | .inner_percentage.Libertarian { I will not support cuts to teacher supplements. I really dont want to do anything that I think might lower morale among school staff. School board members say that, as of this November, two areas of the countyMcGees Crossroads and southern Johnston Countywill no longer have representation on the board. We moved to Clayton nearly 16 years ago.

float:right; Students, however, always come first. $('.hideResponses').show(); What do you consider to be the greatest issue facing Johnston schools, and how would you address it? Click here to read the survey answers. I vividly remember being distraught and throwing my glove at the TV when my beloved Orioles lost to the great Roberto Clemente and his Pittsburgh Pirates in the World Series. 		position: relative; Michelle lives her life for Christ and has been married for 22 years. 	@media screen and (max-width: 350px) { 		width: 100% !important; 		} We must show teachers respect as the professionals that they are. Contact Campaign website Campaign Facebook Melissa Bowers ran for election for an at-large seat of the Johnston County Schools Board of Education in North Carolina. How old were you at the time? 		position: absolute; complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. Counties | 		text-align: center; They make sure staff are abiding by their budgets and by responsible budget practices. Source, See also:Johnston County Schools, North Carolina, elections (2020). $('.pastResponses').show(); Source. clearInterval(nTimer); In the early years, we really must strive for every child to be grade-level reading proficient by third grade. 		left: 0; 		overflow: hidden; State legislature | Four candidates either declined or did not respond to our questionnaire. 	color: white; 		color: #888; I would add here that, if the state is going to issue school grades, it should use them to target more funding to low-performing schools for curricular and professional development. 	} } 		font-size: 2em; 	color: white; .large-date { text-align: center; margin-top: 30px; margin-bottom: 20px; font-size: 20px; font-weight: 600;} 		top: -5px; 	.votebox_legend .non_result_row { 		height: 50px;         ohtadmin      	} 		max-width: 75px;  Get curricula for all core subjects and make sure all schools are following them: We need to purchase curricula for all core subjects, and central office administrators and principals must insist on fidelity to the curricula (in alignment with state standards) at all schools. .key-messages li:last-child { margin-bottom: 0px;} 	} It's important that we continue to make our voices heard. 			} Ensuring a wide range of great educational and vocational opportunities for all students to help them find happiness and success in life. .widget-key { So one obvious takeaway is that we want all students to be achieving at grade level or higher when they begin high school. The top three vote-getters, Tippett, Donovan and Antoine, were all endorsed by the conservative PAC Citizen Advocates for Accountable Government. While in Japan, I taught English in middle schools. How should North Carolina grade its schools to ensure that children are learning and that taxpayers are getting their moneys worth in education? 	padding-left: 10px; 		border-bottom: 1px solid grey; This year, amid the ongoing pandemic, the district rolled out its Virtual Academy as an option for families. 	.outer_percentage { 		font-weight: 100; 	} State legislature | 	width: 43%; } The following candidates ran in the  primary for Johnston County Schools Board of Education At-large on May 17, 2022. 		font-size: 16px; .key-messages li {margin-bottom: 10px;} 	font-weight: bold; 		border-radius: 50%; 	font-weight: bold; $('.showResponses').hide(); 	} 
   .contact_entity {font-size: 1.5em ;margin-top: 0.6em; margin-bottom: 0em;margin-right: 0.5em;} 		margin-right: 10px; 	.votebox_legend { This story was originally published October 24, 2022, 9:48 AM. What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? The school has a list of building needs. Elect Rick Mercier - Johnston County Board of Education 		padding-top: 3px; You werent? The following candidates ran in the  general election for Johnston County Schools Board of Education At-large on November 3, 2020.  He is not fulfilling his duties as a board member, he violated the boards ethics policy, and his conduct during board meetings has been unbecoming of a board member. 		max-width: 600px; } 
   .contact_entity {font-size: 1.5em ;margin-top: 0.6em; margin-bottom: 0em;margin-right: 0.5em;} Johnston County Schools, North Carolina, elections (2020), https://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php?title=Rick_Mercier&oldid=8950448, 2022 United States school district candidates, Johnston County Schools Board of Education candidate, 2022, 2020 United States school district candidates, Johnston County Schools Board of Education candidate, 2020, Conflicts in school board elections, 2021-2022, Special Congressional elections (2023-2024), 2022 Congressional Competitiveness Report, State Executive Competitiveness Report, 2022, State Legislative Competitiveness Report, 2022, Partisanship in 2022 United States local elections. 	} My background as a journalist and serving in a local government leadership position have helped me to hone these qualities. 	text-align: center; 		padding-bottom: 3px; Too many people have disrespected our teachers and have contributed to low morale and the perception that Johnston County Public Schools is not a welcoming place for educators. Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. Education: B.A., University of Virginia; M.A., University of Texas at Austin, Have you run for elected office before? How does this type of outcome count as fair representation? 2 daughters attending Johnston County Public Schools. Below are his answers to questions from the Johnstonian News. a[aria-expanded=false] .fa-chevron-down { display: none; } 		color: #888; We need to use federal COVID (ESSER) funds to have a robust summer school program for the next two summers, before those funds run out. The bonds also will enhance campus security by enabling us to invest in state-of-the-art weapons-detection technology and other technology that will improve safety. .hideResponses { display: none;} Through my volunteer work with the Partnership for Children and my own research, I have come to better understand how important it is that children be grade-level reading proficient by the end of third grade. 	} 		margin-right: 10px; If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. $('.showResponses').on('click', () => { County Commissioner Fred Smith recently noted that school spending in Johnston is growing faster than enrollment. This will get kids out of trailers and into school buildings, making them safer. Editor's Note: Rick Mercier is a candidate for the Johnston County Board of Education. We are loyal to it and want it to be the best in the state. JOHNSTON COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL ELECTION UNOFFICIAL COUNTYWIDE CONTEST RESULTS ELECTION DATE: . 	} Six candidates will advance to the general election this fall. Click here to contact our editorial staff, and click here to report an error. 	margin-bottom: 1px; } Johnston County Board of Education (2020). 	} 		text-align: left; Going forward, I would like to maintain the Virtual Academy, but I would like us to move away from having a third-party vendor provide instruction. 		.race_header, .results_text, .results_table_container, .votebox_legend { There also is the matter of how we would transition to the new system. 	} 		letter-spacing: .04em; 	} We just need to market those a little better to the community. 		font-weight: bold; The updated policy includes language that reads the United States foundational documents shall not be undermined, and all people who contributed to American Society will be recognized and presented as reformists, innovators and heroes to our culture.. Below are his answers to questions from the Johnstonian News. 	display: inline-block; Raleigh offers to buy former DMV headquarters on New Bern Ave. Heres whats planned. 	} 		letter-spacing: 0.03em; 	.race_footer { Another critical question is, Do we really want district seats to be voted on countywide instead of having each district seat decided by only voters in that district? if (typeof $  !=  'undefined') { .widget-row { I have lived in Japan and Taiwan and have reported from Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean during my career. 	} We cant remove books just to placate a loud minority who wants to impose their will and their ideas on everyone else. 	color: white; The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Mercier's responses. .widget-row.Democratic { 	.inner_percentage.Democratic { 				overflow-y: hidden; 	font-weight: bold; 		position: absolute; 	.votebox-results-cell--number { 	} 		width: 90%; Commissioner Patrick Harris was leading challenger Jyl Burgener in the Republican primary. Let's end the distractions and drama and put the focus back on our kids. 		color: #fff; 		margin-bottom:16px; A school board member helps set policy and is responsible for establishing responsible budgets for operations and capital needs. $('#candidate-connection-twitter-74539').on('click', () => { ga('send', 'event', 'surveycta', 'surveycta-click-twitter'); }); Bringing in expertise from the UNC School of Government and perhaps the N.C. School Boards Association (NCSBA) would help us to sort out these issues. | The $253.5 million also would enable construction of two new elementary schools. 		background-color: #003388; Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well. div.oneoff-scrollbox.short {  height:250px;  overflow:scroll;  margin:20px;  padding:10px;  border:1px solid gray; } 		display: inline-block; 		background-color: #003388; } Smithfield, for example, is carved up in three pieces.). We should support the work of outstanding organizations such as the Partnership for Children and My Kids Club. I agree that we need to build a new high school; consultantsidentified it as an immediate need more than five years ago. font-size: .9em; 	margin-bottom: 0; a[aria-expanded=false] .fa-chevron-down { display: none; } $('.pastResponses').hide(); background-color: white; .key-messages li {margin-bottom: 10px;} 		color: #0645ad; 		background-color: #f9d334; U.S. President | 	margin-top: 1px; Asking for a disaster: NC races to start voter ID, with little time and maybe no money, After meeting with ex-Trump lawyer, GOP pitches new NC voting rules vetoed by Cooper, Former Gov. (function() { Heres what you need to know. There are a host of other questions, including whether to keep the school board races nonpartisan (yes, please!). Enter your e-mail address below to receive the latest! 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