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Cynthia Stone
Party:
Democratic
Incumbent:
No
Previous experience in elected office:
None
Age:
~71
Occupation:
Former CMS Montessori school teacher (Chantilly, Park Road); former Chatham County school teacher
Description:
Stone believes critical CMS issues are student safety and student mental health. She says, “I would work to find early intervention resources that identify and support younger students before a crisis level is reached.” Other issues are teacher retention (“As a member of the Board of Education, I will work directly with teachers to better understand what CMS could do to make our schools a desirable place to teach”) and transparency (“As your School Board member I will have an open door policy for my constituents and will always be available, honest, and transparent with you regarding the decisions being made about our schools”). She also wants to “ensure students are actually meeting their grade level requirements rather than being passed on to the next grade without a proper skills-based educational foundation.”
Other personal:
She graduated from UNC Greensboro in 1976 and has a master’s degree from Lander University. Stone describes herself as a CMS graduate and a “CMS step-parent.” She is a registered Democrat. She is endorsed by MeckDems and the LGBTQ Democrats of NC.
The Election Hub Questionnaire
Please provide demographic information about yourself to help voters (age, education, current occupation, where you live).
UNC-G: BA-El Ed, Lander University: MEd; retired from CMS 12/2023. Charlotte native.
Why are you running for this role and why should voters pick you? Please share any experience in an elected role that would be relevant to voters.
I returned to the classroom in 2004 after 20+ successful years in the private sector because education is the key to eradicating poverty. Education happens in classrooms; which is why I stayed in the classroom rather than pursuing an administrative role. I’ve never pursued elected office but I’m compelled to run for school board because I know education is not only an obligation of parents, it is also the obligation of a community to ensure its children are provided the best education possible.
What is one thing you would like to accomplish in the first six months if elected?
In the first six months it is important to build collaborative relationships with fellow board members, families, agencies and other governmental entities that are affiliated with the CMS BOE. Without positive relationships and transparent communications, I will be unable to accomplish the long range goals that form the basis of my platform.
Tell us about 2-3 professional accomplishments you have achieved in your work experience (not limited to public service) that give voters a sense of your leadership style or skills.
Initiated a school wide book study "Waking Up White" by Debby Irving to build bridges across a diverse school staff; formed a cohesive classroom community during Covid shutdown through video with individual and groups of parents, leading student activities such as participating in Operation Sandwich (an annual classroom community service project); opened and staffed a satellite office of Crisis Assistance Ministry at Park Road Baptist Church.
What endorsements from any notable NC organizations or individuals have you received?
I have been fortunate to be endorsed by NC State House District 100 Representative Julia Greenfield; County Commissioner District 5 Laura Meier; City Council Elect District 5 Juan Diego (JD) Mazuera Arias; Black Political Caucus of Charlotte-Mecklenburg; Charlotte Mecklenburg Association of Educators; LGBTQ+ MECKDEMS 2025 Excellent Candidate BOE District 5; Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in American - recognized as a Gun Sense Candidate.
Tell us something unexpected about you that voters may be interested to know.
I like to consider myself a charismatic reader. At a recent gathering, a person mentioned that they recognized me by my voice. This was because they had cared for one of my students during the Pandemic and had listened to the daily read-aloud of "James and the Giant Peach" by Roald Dahl.