Questionnaire Responses – Yolanda Adams

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

I bring the perspective of someone who has lived nearly every side of the public education system, both here in Watauga County and across the U.S., as an immigrant parent, a longtime school system employee, a community advocate, and now a higher-education professional working directly with students and families not only in Watauga County but throughout Western North Carolina. As a mother of four children who have attended Watauga County Schools, I deeply understand the hopes, dreams, obstacles, resources, and concerns families carry when they entrust their children to our schools.

Having spent over a decade working within Watauga County Schools and now serving in a regional leadership role supporting students and families through GEAR UP Appalachian, I bring a bridge-building perspective that connects schools, families, and community resources. I also bring a culturally responsive lens rooted in belonging and access, ensuring that ALL families feel seen, heard, and valued. My lived experience allows me to advocate with empathy, clarity, accountability, and opportunity.

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

One of the most pressing issues facing Watauga County Schools is supporting student and staff well-being while meeting increasing academic and social demands. Teachers are stretched thin, students are navigating growing mental health challenges, many intensified by the aftermath of the pandemic and Hurricane Helene, and families are often overwhelmed by complex systems or unsure how to have their voices heard.

Equally pressing are state and local budget constraints, which directly impact student success. Ongoing financial pressures have forced schools to cut essential positions, increasing class sizes and placing additional strain on educators who are asked to cover multiple roles. Burnout and the growing exodus from the education profession are real challenges that we can no longer afford to ignore.

If elected, I will advocate for comprehensive, student-centered solutions by strengthening mental health supports, improving family communication, and ensuring educators have the resources they need to succeed. I believe deeply in listening to those closest to the work; teachers, counselors, students, and families, and using their insights to inform policy and practice. We must also ensure that Watauga County’s voice is heard at the state and national levels so that public education remains a true priority.

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

My top priority would be investing in student support services—specifically counselors, social workers, teacher programs, and mental health resources. Academic success is deeply connected to students’ emotional well-being, sense of belonging, and stability.

When students feel supported and safe, they are more likely to engage, learn, and thrive. Investing in these services also supports teachers and families, creating stronger school communities overall.

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

I oppose redirecting funding away from public schools to voucher programs. Public schools serve ALL students, regardless of background, ability, language, or income. Diverting funds weakens the very institutions that are legally and morally obligated to educate every child.Schools are already suffering from a lack of funding, and this initiative will only deepen that gap.

Rather than taking resources away, we should be strengthening public schools, especially in rural communities like Watauga County, so they can continue to provide high-quality, accessible education for all

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

I oppose lowering the percentage of Education Lottery revenue allocated to public schools. These funds were intended to support public education, and reducing that commitment places additional strain on already limited resources. The NC Education Lottery was established primarily to address the funding shortages within the North Carolina school system. Reducing the funding percentage would be a misrepresentation of the original agreement and the commitments made at its inception.

Our schools need stable, predictable funding to plan responsibly and meet student needs. Any reduction undermines trust and directly impacts classrooms, staff, and students.

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

I believe the spirit of House Bill 636 comes from a place of genuine concern that many parents in our district share. At the same time, I have serious concerns. I agree that we need to ensure that the materials our children interact with are age-appropriate and reflect the values of our community. However, as someone running for a seat on the School Board, my priority is accountability.

While I support the goal of ‘promoting wholesome content,’ I have significant concerns about the execution of this bill as it is currently written. Specifically, I am focused on three areas:

• ●  The ‘Agenda’ Risk: The bill creates a 10-person committee to decide what stays and what goes. My question is: Who chooses the choosers? If we allow a small group to be hand-picked by whoever happens to be in power at the moment, we aren’t removing ‘agendas’ from schools, we are just replacing one person’s agenda with another’s. I want to see a selection process that is transparent and truly representative of our entire community, not just a politically connected few.
• ●  Fiscal Responsibility: The provision allowing for $5,000 lawsuits per violation is a major red flag. As a School Board member, my job is to protect your tax dollars and ensure they stay in the classroom. I worry this ‘bounty’ system will lead to endless litigation that drains our budget and puts our schools in a defensive crouch, rather than focusing on academic excellence.
• ●  Trust in Parents vs. Trust in Committees: I trust parents more than I trust committees. Instead of a new layer of bureaucracy that could be co-opted by activists, I would advocate for more direct transparency, giving parents easy, digital access to see what is in their school’s library so they can make the best choices for their own children.In summary: I support the intent to protect our children, but I am wary of any bill that increases the potential for political bias and legal costs without a clear, unbiased mechanism for accountability. We need ‘wholesome content,’ but we also need a school system that operates on trust and common sense, not political theater.

7. State funding for our local schools is tied to enrollment. What ideas can you bring forward in light of declining enrollment?

To address declining enrollment, we must focus on making Watauga County Schools a place where families want to stay and enroll. This includes strengthening family engagement, improving communication, supporting innovative programs, and ensuring schools reflect the needs and values of the community.

I also believe in proactive outreach. We must intentionally follow up with families who leave—because that alone demonstrates care and commitment. Listening to why families choose other options and responding with thoughtful, data-informed solutions is essential. Once we listen, we must develop a clear plan to close those gaps and address the root causes so the problem does not continue. Strong schools are built on trust, relationships, and responsiveness.

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

I oppose banning ANY books from public schools. All students deserve to see themselves reflected in literature and to learn about the diverse world they live in. Representation fosters empathy, understanding, and belonging, and helps students grow into compassionate, informed members of society.

At the same time, it is imperative that we take into account the age, developmental level, and maturity of our students. Not every child is ready for every type of content, and schools have a responsibility to ensure that materials are age-appropriate and developmentally appropriate. We must be proactive in reviewing content thoughtfully and responsibly, making sure that books intended for mature audiences are not placed in spaces meant for younger children.

Children deserve the freedom to be children, to grow at healthy and natural stages, and to engage with content that supports their emotional and developmental well-being. Parents should never lose the power of being included in decisions about their children’s education. Families must remain respected partners in these conversations, and when concerns arise, schools should provide options and alternatives so that students’ learning is never compromised.

Books should be evaluated with care, professionalism, and responsibility, not removed out of fear or exclusion. Public schools should be safe, affirming, and respectful spaces for all students, while also honoring parental voice, child development, and age-appropriate learning.

9. What are your ideas for increasing public participation with Watauga’s schools?

Increasing public participation starts with building trust, openness, and accessibility. I support creating more opportunities for two-way communication, community listening sessions, multilingual outreach, family education nights, and partnerships with local organizations.

Families engage when they feel welcomed, informed, valued, and respected. As a board member, I would advocate for inclusive engagement strategies that meet families where they are and recognize the strengths they bring to our school community.