Questionnaire Responses – Alison Carroll Idol

The life experiences I believe will bring a different and important perspective to the Watauga County School Board are the following, in no certain order…

• I was born and raised in Watauga County and am proud to have lived here my entire life. As a local citizen, I have a strong desire for our school system to thrive, which impacts the greater community. I seek to serve so I can do my part to ensure safe, successful educational experiences for all children in Watauga County, including my own grandchildren and the generations to follow.
• I am a graduate of Watauga County Schools (1988) and Appalachian State University (1992).
• I am a mom to three grown children who attended and graduated from Watauga County Schools. My children were involved in and experienced many things that helped me gain a broad perspective into our school system as a whole.
• Each of the twenty years I had a child in Watauga County Schools, I stayed committed to supporting their schools, teachers and staff. I served on both the Parkway PTO and Friends of WHS as well as six years on the Watauga Education Foundation Board.

2 – What do you consider to be the most pressing issue facing Watauga County Schools and how will you address this issue if elected?

I believe that the most pressing issue facing Watauga County Schools is our aging school facilities.  With an increasing population in our county, overcrowding has become an issue that has forced many schools to have additional space in learning cottages. Additionally, the lack of air conditioning in most buildings makes learning difficult during the warmer months.

3 – Do you believe the Watauga County Board of Commissioners provides adequate funding for Watauga County’s public schools? Please explain.

Yes, I believe the Watauga County Board of Commissioners works hard with the school board to provide adequate funding for the needs of Watauga County’s public schools. While every need cannot be met, I have never known the commissioners to deny the school system any imminent needs.

4 – If you could only increase Watauga County’s public school spending in one area, what would it be and why?

If I could increase spending in one area it would be for facilities, specifically to build a middle school.  This would relieve some of the overcrowding in several K-8 schools and give our middle schoolers a larger variety of experiences and opportunities to not only better prepare them for social and extracurricular elements as they head towards high school, but to also increase the academic rigor.

5 – Do you support or oppose all/none/some of the ‘Parent’s Bill of Rights’ enacted for public schools by the state legislature in August 2023 (SB 49)? Please explain.

I do support SB 49 in that parents should be responsible for and advocate for their child’s best interest and additionally I believe it protects teachers and staff.

6 – Do you support or oppose the “Moms for Liberty” organization and activities related to public schools? Please explain.

“Moms for Liberty” is an organization I was not familiar with, so I had to do some research to understand their purpose. I discovered that the group was organized during the height of the Covid pandemic and considered extremist by a lot of outside organizations. My question is this- isn’t every mother a bit of an extremist when it comes to protecting and educating their children? So, to answer your question, I would have to say that I cannot confidently support or oppose the organization due to the extreme nature of both supporters and opposers.

7 – What are your ideas/proposals for increasing public participation with Watauga’s schools?

I believe that we are blessed with a highly supportive, engaged community. Partnerships with companies such as Blue Ridge Electric and Walmart provide grants and scholarships for our students and teachers.

I would like to see an increase in community involvement by inviting community members and leaders to see what our students are doing and to think of a way that they can be actively involved. The existing partnership with Appalachian State University provides math and reading clinics for our K-5 students, a clinic that teaches preservice teachers while helping students who need extra support. For high school students, there is a desperate need for academic advising. Opportunities that are available and attainable can be well thought out and identified for the benefit of any high school student if they can be mentored and advised as they plan their next steps towards a career. Partnerships, with local businesses, for instance, could have a huge impact for kids who want a career right out of high school. These relationships would also increase community engagement with our schools.