I am the daughter of a NC public educator

I am the sister of a public educator

I am the mother of a student in NC public schools (about to graduate) 

I am a product of NC public schools

In 2016, I felt so deeply about the need to defend public education and teachers that I ran for statewide office.

For the last four years, NC public schools and educators have lacked leadership and the result of this absence has been costly for teachers and students alike. An effective Superintendent of Public Instruction requires dedication to public education and its students along with essential administrative skills, policy experience and political acumen. None of which should be learned on the job.

Fortunately, on the Democratic ballot, there is a leader who has demonstrated the necessary leadership for the Department of Public Instruction, Keith Sutton.

Administratively, for over a decade, Keith Sutton has served on Wake County School board, overseeing the largest school system in the state with a budget of $1.65 billion, employs 20,000 employees and provides the highest salary supplement for teachers in the state. He would arrive to the job as no stranger to overseeing a sizeable department with numerous moving parts. 

In addition to this valuable board experience of pouring over school policies and budgets, Keith has demonstrated the ability to lead in difficult times. The job of Superintendent requires working with folks of all political stripes to deliver for your constituents while maintaining your professionalism and integrity. Keith has embodied effectiveness and class and, consequently, Wake County schools received resources and also innovated. 

Keith has led at a time of adversity so he knows how to handle the current situation that our schools face. He was Board Chair after the firing of the Wake County Superintendent and when Republicans on the Wake County Commission balked at supporting a much needed school construction bond. He was there when the Republicans in the legislature redistricted school board districts in an attempt to elect more conservatives. Under his leadership, the board weathered those transitions.

Many of us in Asheville and Buncombe County can relate to the experience of having adversarial relationships with other governmental entities who wield control over your destiny. Navigating those waters, without causing harm to those you serve is difficult at best. 

No matter what the political composition of the next General Assembly, to be successful, a Superintendent will need to be effective with policy-makers. Keith’s political skills are the most well hewn of any of the candidates. 

Being a teacher is the most important job there is. However, the amazing skills of educators do not necessarily equal an ability to work with policy-makers, navigate sharp political elbows while maintaining professional relationships with those that hold the purse strings.  

Many friends are saying, “I am backing the teacher candidate”. Indeed Keith Sutton is not a trained educator. But the job of State Superintendent is not a teaching gig. It’s a leadership gig.

Keith grew up listening to educators as he was the son of two. He has spent the last eleven years listening to teachers as both a board member and professional educational consultant. For someone who is not a teacher, he has worked hard to “get it.”  In a state with 80 of 100 counties considered rural, Keith is the only candidate that thoughtfully include rural schools in his platform. Heck, he is the only who even mentions rural schools.

This is not a contest for who loves public education the most. It is a contest of who is the most capable to advance public education in North Carolina and get our teachers what they deserve.  

Keith’s experience, dedication, skills, and demeanor in this realm provides North Carolinians with an amazing opportunity. Let’s take it and vote for the individual with the policy and administrative chops to lead on day one… Keith Sutton.