Sarah Ferrell Temple

Party:

Democrat

Incumbent:

Yes

Age:

Approximately 57

Previous experience in elected office:

Hickory City Schools Board of Education (2017-present)

Occupation:

Retired educator

Description:

Temple is seeking reelection to the board. She authored an op-ed in the Hickory Daily Record about the proposed merger of the county’s three school districts. She called the merger discussions “one-sided,” criticizing the county’s board of commissioners for not taking adequate input from Hickory community members who opposed the merger. She was appointed by the NC Social Services Commission to the Catawba County Social Services Board in 2020.

Other personal:

Temple is married with two children and has been a foster parent. Her previous public service includes Habitat for Humanity’s Family Selection Committee and the Hickory Landmarks Society Board. She has also served as the PTA President for Grandview Middle School. She graduated from Hickory High School in 1987.

Questionnaire from The Chamber of Catawba County

Please tell us a little about yourself and what prompted you to run for office.

I am a retired public school educator and served NC public schools for 30 years as a teacher, instructional coach and principal. I am a proud graduate of Hickory High School. Both of my children attended Oakwood and Grandview. I believe in Hickory City Schools and want to be able to serve the students and staff in our wonderful school district.

What experiences, skills, or perspectives have best prepared you to serve in this role?

I have served on the board of education for 8 years and am a retired public school educator so I am well equipped to understand the issues and challenges we face.

If elected, what would be your top two priorities?

My top priority as a member of the board of education has always been to improve student achievement and outcomes. Our focus and goals should always be on student outcomes and providing the best possible education for each student to reach their highest potential. I believe small school systems are more student centered and are better able to address the needs of the students we serve.

Elected officials often face difficult decisions involving competing priorities, limited resources, and differing perspectives. How would you approach those decisions and work with people who may see an issue differently than you do?

I am very open to other perspectives and will listen and consider different points of view but will always make decisions based on what I believe to be in the best interest of students.

What steps should the school system take to recruit, support, and retain high-quality teachers and other employees?

First we must value and support the teachers we have by giving them the time, materials and tools to successfully do their job. Teachers that feel valued and heard are more likely to stay in their schools. Partnering with our local universities to bring in student teachers and recruit them to work with us after graduation is something we are fortunate to be able to do.

How should the school board measure student success, and what should it prioritize to improve student outcomes and ensure students and educators have effective, safe learning environments?

We measure student success in a variety of ways. The state of NC has an intense testing and accountability model that all public schools use to measure student achievement. In my opinion the most important measure is that of student growth. Many students come into our buildings already behind and we are challenged with helping them grow as much and as quickly as we can each year. Each child should grow at least one year for one year of instruction at the minimum. In order for that to happen our schools need to be safe and orderly learning environments. Strong building level leadership with high student and staff expectations is critical to student success.

How should the school system prepare students for success after graduation, and what role, if any, should employers, community colleges, higher education, and other community partners play in that work?

Beginning in middle school we start working with our students on their post high school plans and goals. Helping the students see the many pathways open to them earlier will help them set and achieve goals for post high school.

Having a strong CTE program as we do in Hickory Schools affords many opportunities and pathways for our students. Providing a rigorous academic pathway for those students choosing to continue their academic careers in college must continue. Working closely with our local universities and community colleges benefits both students and our community.

How should the school board prioritize and communicate its facility and capital needs while working with county commissioners, who are responsible for funding school construction and maintenance?

The school board should be made aware of facility needs and issues by the superintendent or her designee. These needs must be prioritized based on level of importance and need and then shared with the county commissioners annually by the superintendent of the school system.

Catawba County commissioners have approved a plan to merge the county’s three public school systems, subject to State Board of Education approval. What opportunities and challenges do you see in the proposed merger?

The challenges of the proposed merger plan are numerous. We have not been shown by the commissioners how this proposed merger would benefit the students of Hickory City Schools. Very little discussion has been had on the needs of the actual students. They seem to be an afterthought in this plan. The Hickory City Board of Education has requested numerous times that an in-depth study be completed to determine whether or not a merger would result in long term financial savings and if it would benefit students outcomes. That request has been ignored. Without an in-depth study that will answer these unknowns I cannot support a merger.