To help inform voters in the Nov. 5, 2024, election, this candidate questionnaire is available to be republished by local publications in North Carolina without any cost. Please consider subscribing to The Charlotte Observer to help make this coverage possible.
Name: Robert (Rob) Walter
Birth date: Sept. 12, 1970
Campaign website or social media page: https://www.voterobwalter.org/
Occupation: Airport Project Manager
Education: Bachelorâs of Science in business administration (management major) from the University of Central Florida.
Have you run for elected office before?
Yes, Elected Cabarrus County Board of Education in 2012, 2016, and 2020
Please list your highlights of civic involvement
Hunt State Policy Fellow 2024, Leadership Cabarrus Alumni, Toastmaster Alumni City of Concord Civic Education Instructor, Former Youth Basketball Coach, Church Community Service Volunteer, Carolina Aviation Professionals Board Member, North Carolina Airport Association Member
What are the most important issues in Cabarrus County Schools today, and how would you address them?
Handling growth while maintaining a top-quality school system is a top issue. Staffing shortages from teachers, bus drivers, support staff, EC services, and admin. Budgeting, policy, hiring, transparency, & accountability are tools the board has to address these challenges. The School Board has to work with the County Commission for funding therefore having a strong relationship with mutual understanding is key to address our challenges and achieve mutual goals for our students and community.
What are your ideas for improving student performance if elected to the school board?
My priorities have been student engagement and performance, if as the board we can support the CCS strategic plan, then measures and goals in that plan should be progressing in a positive direction.Since we are such a large school system, we wonât get there in one year but need to be demonstrating to the public that progress is being made in the data, which includes testing (growth and grade level proficiency), graduation rates, CTC participation, Advanced Placement classes, etc.
Whatâs your opinion of the school systemâs redistricting plan approved earlier this year? And what, if anything would you have done differently?
I was 1 of 3 to oppose. I requested a 1-year delay. I saw flaws in the data and recommendations. I voted no because it was supposed to address growth and overcrowding but only helped 3 schools. The plan didnât help the most overcrowded schools at all. It moved several thousand middle school students for reasons other than growth (feeder patterns, transportation efficiencies) but left one middle school vastly under capacity. The plan did not grandfather rising 5th graders or 8th graders either.
What is your plan to address the achievement gap in Cabarrus County?
Identifying the issues, looking at the data, being transparent with our stakeholders and getting community involvement and buy-in with help narrow that gap. Our Early College Program is a success example. Helping kids where they need help, being able to better identify individual needs, provide resources, and support proactively rather than reactively. All students are different, learn differently, have different backgrounds, home life, and situations they deal with outside of school.
What role, if any, would your political affiliation play in your decision making process for the school district?
As a Christian, Iâm a registered Republican because my views align closer to the GOP party platform than any other party platform. However, board members are individuals and many issues the school board faces are not political and board members of the same party can and do vote differently based on our individual analysis of the issue before the board. It takes a majority vote and each board member has just one vote so it makes sense to listen to other view points and see if a consensus can be found on what is best for the students and staff of the school district. That is our ultimate responsibility as school board members.
What separates you from your opponents and makes you the best choice on Novemberâs ballot?
I think my experience on the board, including serving as chair and vice chair, historical knowledge, familiarity with our County and the role the school system plays sets me apart from other candidates running. I have a consistent track record of preparation, asking questions, holding family values, listening and encouraging stakeholder input, visiting schools and events, supporting students, teachers, and staff. I give my best to the citizens of Cabarrus County as a board member.
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