Overview: Incumbent Nancy Oruth beat challenger Lisa Ingle Clapp. Routh voted to hire Superintendent Maurice “Mo” Green, who reportedly works smoothly with the Board of Education. Routh wants to strengthen instruction in primary grades and challenge students more in upper grades. She is unable to list programs to be eliminated for budgetary reasons.
On the record: “Teacher effectiveness is more than the student scores on EOG and EOC tests. North Carolina has had an evaluation procedure in place for teachers and other licensed personnel for decades. The evaluation process does focus on the teacher’s performance, but the validity of the process does depend on the use of observation, communication, training, and professional development opportunities throughout the academic year.” (From News & Record)