Questionnaire Responses – Carrie McClain

1 – If elected, in what way(s) will you bring a different and important perspective to the Watauga County School Board?

If elected, I would bring a perspective shaped by my experience as a parent, a business owner, and a longtime community volunteer, including service on several boards.

As a parent, I have a deep, personal investment in the success of our schools. I know it truly takes a village to raise a child, and I am profoundly grateful to the teachers and staff who have helped shape my children. I will never forget the dedication and resilience our educators showed during COVID and Hurricane Helene. Their commitment reinforced my desire to serve and to give back to a school system that has given so much to my family.

As a business owner, I bring a practical and balanced approach—encouraging creative problem-solving and a growth mindset while staying grounded in day-to-day realities. My work has required me to collaborate with people from diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. I understand the importance of listening, building trust, and respecting expertise. Strong organizations succeed when leaders support their teams and allow professionals to do the jobs they are trained to do.

Personally, I am grounded, thoughtful, and willing to listen—but also prepared to ask difficult questions and make tough decisions when necessary. I believe effective leadership means supporting the people we have hired, trusting their expertise, encouraging collaboration, and fostering an environment where thoughtful problem-solving can thrive. As a member of the Board of Education, I would work to contribute to a board culture that is collaborative, forward-looking, and focused on what best serves students, families, and educators.

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

My understanding of the challenges facing Watauga County Schools comes primarily from my experience as a parent and as a member of the Watauga Education Foundation, as well as conversations with friends and community members who are teachers, staff, and administrators. I fully expect to learn much more as a school board member.

One of the most significant challenges facing our school system is the recruitment and retention of teachers and staff. Historically, Watauga County Schools benefited from strong applicant pools and waiting lists for open positions. Today, however, rising housing costs, post-COVID burnout, and the increasing demands placed on educators have made it more difficult to attract and retain the same number of qualified teachers and staff to fully staff our schools.

The school system has already begun exploring solutions such as workforce housing, but these challenges are complex and cannot be solved by the school district alone. Meaningful progress will require cooperation among the school board, county leaders, municipalities, nonprofits, and the broader community. I believe the board’s role is to continue encouraging collaboration, supporting creative problem-solving, and advocating for educators at every opportunity.

Equally important is listening. Teachers and staff are closest to the challenges in our schools, and their voices should inform policy and decision-making. Families bring a close, personal understanding of their children’s needs and how school decisions affect them day to day. By listening carefully to both educators and families and responding thoughtfully, the board can create conditions where educators feel supported and families feel heard—so they can do their best work in supporting students. Supporting and listening to families and educators help students thrive, which is the ultimate goal of a school system.

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

Staff compensation. Our teachers and school staff are the foundation of a strong school system. Over the past several years, rising housing costs, post-COVID burnout, and increasing demands on educators have made it more difficult to recruit and retain the experienced, dedicated professionals our students need. Competitive compensation is essential if we want educators to choose Watauga County, remain here long term, and continue building strong relationships with students and families.

My perspective is shaped both by my experience as a business owner and employer—where I have seen firsthand that people make or break an organization—and by my understanding of the real recruitment and retention challenges facing our schools. Compensation is not only about salary, but also about valuing experience, longevity, and expertise.

While I believe staff compensation is a critical investment in student outcomes, school culture, and the long-term strength of Watauga County Schools, I also recognize that school budgets are complex. As a board member, I would gain deeper insight into other important funding needs through careful budget review and ongoing conversations with educators, administrators, and the community. Thoughtful stewardship requires balancing priorities while keeping student success at the center of every decision.

4 – Do you support or oppose re-directing funding from NC public schools to the state’s Opportunity Scholarship (voucher) program for private and charter schools? Please explain.

While there is a role for private and charter schools within our broader educational landscape, I do not support redirecting essential funding away from North Carolina’s public schools to the Opportunity Scholarship (voucher) program.

A strong, healthy public education system is essential to creating a strong, stable society. Public schools serve all students and communities, regardless of background, ability, or circumstance, and they remain the foundation of educational opportunity for the vast majority of North Carolina’s children.

As a parent, business owner and employer, and community member I believe that maintaining strong investment in public education is critical to student success, workforce readiness, and the long-term health of our communities.

5 – Do you support or oppose the state legislature’s lowering the percentage of NC’s  Education Lottery revenue allocated to public schools? Please explain.

While I am not fully versed in every detail of this specific legislative debate, I cannot imagine a moment when our public schools need less funding. Schools across our state are facing real pressures—from staffing challenges to rising costs—and reducing a dedicated funding stream only makes it harder to meet students’ needs.

An investment in public education is an investment in ourselves and our communities. I say that as a parent, a business owner and employer, and as a member of society who depends on a well-educated workforce and strong local schools. Rather than reducing support, we should be focused on identifying sustainable ways to strengthen and increase funding for public education so schools can continue to serve students well.

Public schools are foundational to the long-term success of our country, our state, and our county, and funding decisions should reflect that priority.

6 – Do you support or oppose NC’s pending House Bill 636 — Promoting Wholesome Content for Students”? Please explain.

I believe we need to trust teachers and school administrators to do their jobs and to select age-appropriate materials they believe are important for students to engage with. I have never supported broad efforts to ban books or restrict access to ideas simply because they may be challenging or uncomfortable.

Learning often involves engaging with complex topics and perspectives. Allowing students to encounter thoughtfully selected material helps them develop critical thinking skills, empathy, and the ability to navigate a diverse world. Shielding students from ideas they may disagree with does not prepare them for the realities they will face beyond school.

As a parent, I recognize that my children may encounter ideas at school—or even at our church—that I do not fully agree with. That is part of growing up. My responsibility is to equip them with the tools to think critically, ask questions, and engage respectfully with different viewpoints. I believe educators play an important role in that process and should be trusted to select materials that support student learning and growth.

Strong schools depend on professional trust, thoughtful dialogue, and respect for the expertise of educators.

7 – State funding for our local schools is tied to enrollment at our local schools. What ideas can you bring forward as a Watauga County School Board member in light of declining enrollment?

Declining enrollment is a complex issue, and there is no single solution. As a school board member, I believe the most effective approach is to focus on creating a school system that families want to be part of.

That begins with making Watauga County Schools a great place to work. Staff morale directly affects the school environment, and a positive, supportive workplace helps attract and retain excellent educators. When teachers and staff feel valued and supported, that energy carries into classrooms and school culture.

A strong, engaged school community also helps attract and retain students. Families are drawn to schools where students feel supported, challenged, and connected. Even when students experience social or academic challenges, a positive relationship with a teacher or staff member can make a meaningful difference in their experience and willingness to stay engaged.

By focusing on strong leadership, supportive working conditions, and a positive school culture, Watauga County Schools can remain a dynamic and welcoming place for students and families—helping stabilize enrollment while preserving the strengths that have long defined our school system.

 8 – Do you support or oppose banning books about LGBTQ lives and/or with LGBTQ characters from public schools? Please explain.

As a general rule, I do not believe book bans are an appropriate or effective approach to education. Professional educators and librarians are trained to select age-appropriate materials that support learning, critical thinking, and understanding of the world students live in.

Parents play an important role in guiding their own children’s values, but shielding students from ideas or identities does not prepare them for life beyond school. Students benefit from encountering a wide range of stories and perspectives. Exposure to different experiences helps young people develop empathy, critical thinking skills, and the ability to engage thoughtfully with people who may be different from themselves.

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

Watauga County Schools already benefit from strong community support—something that is evident in moments like the community-wide celebration after Watauga High School won the state football championship. That kind of pride and connection is a real strength we can continue to build on.

I would like to explore ways to create more meaningful opportunities for community members—especially those without school-aged children—to engage with our schools. One idea is expanding programs similar to Western Youth Network’s Lunch Buddy model, or creating “adopt-a-classroom” or “adopt-a-grade” partnerships with churches, civic organizations, and local groups. These types of relationships could provide consistent support, mentorship, and encouragement for students and teachers while giving community members a purposeful way to be involved.

I also believe there are opportunities to strengthen connections with higher education partners such as Appalachian State University and Caldwell Community College. College students can be valuable mentors, tutors, and classroom supports, while also gaining meaningful experience working with younger students.

By building on existing community pride and creating intentional pathways for involvement, we can deepen public engagement in our schools in ways that benefit students, educators, and the broader community.