She will seek the seat currently occupied by Clayton Evans. The seat represents the Union Pines High School district, which includes Carthage, Vass and Cameron.
Clack said recently published news articles regarding the school system’s investigation into its vending contract with a Lee County distributor prompted her to announce her candidacy now. She also said that Superintendent Pat Russo’s contract extension, which will be voted on by the Board of Education tonight, was a major reason she decided to run.
“I want the school system to be above board,” Clack said. “I don’t want it to be characterized by any murky dealings. I think we need to get back to the children and get back to the teachers.”
When pressed about whether she would vote to extend Russo’s contract Clack said, “I would have to be informed on a lot of personnel issues and things that have been decided behind closed doors. I would have to know more facts before I voted either way.
“I’m for unity on the board and a cooperative, open dialogue to solve problems. I think if we keep at the forefront what’s in the best interest of the boys and girls that will help us.”
“I question some actions of the board in the last year or two. I just feel like there must be some policies that need a refining, a clarifying. I think every action of the school board and a leadership team should in any school system should be above board and beyond reproach.”
In a statement given to The Pilot on Monday, Clack said she worked for four superintendents during her tenure in public schools, including Russo.
“I know the job is demanding, but no more so than that of any first- or eighth-grade teacher,” Clack said. “The perimeters are just different.
“I personally found Russo to be an amiable, affable, erudite colleague during the two years I served as principal at Carthage Elementary School. However, one would have had to be sequestered in a time capsule in Moore County to not realize that a dark cloud of public doubt and distrust now hangs over the head of the present school system administration.”
Clack said recent events tell her that it is time for a change on the Board of Education.
“I believe that the findings from the investigation into SAT payoffs, the use of a Moore County personalized testing model to measure growth, along with newly uncovered information questioning vendor contracts are sufficient evidences for the public to want a new voice on the school board,” Clack said. “I want to be that new voice.”
Clack said in her statement the school system should focus on children.
“We have nearly 12,000 boys and girls in Moore County Schools, but none to spare,” Clack said. “Each and every pupil is unique and deserves only the finest education. The schools must do an even more effective job in valuing and motivating every single student in a warm, supportive school atmosphere.”
Clack also stressed the need for the board to realize that “there are no unimportant people at the school house door. Every single parent, teacher, secretary, teacher assistant, bus driver, custodian, maintenance worker, cafeteria worker and (administrator) needs to be treated with respect and dignity by the administration and each other. … If we want to recruit and hold great teachers and principals we must treat them with dignity and respect and support them.”
Clack said that if elected, she wants to serve on the board as an advocate for children and those who work in the classrooms and schools.
“Every decision made at any level in the school system should answer the question, ‘Is this in the best interests of the boys and girls of Moore County?’ If not, abandon that action,” Clack said.
Clack currently heads Pinehurst Curriculum Assoc-iates, an educational consultant firm. She earned degrees at Appalachian State University and the University of North Carolina-Greensboro. She has earned two doctorates from UNC-Chapel Hill.
Clack, a native of Moore County, taught in Pinehurst, Aberdeen, Eagle Springs and in her hometown of Robbins during her career with the Moore County Schools. She is a former principal of Carthage Elementary and was director of elementary education for the school system. She is a former Principal of the Year.
She has three daughters who graduated from Union Pines and three grandchildren currently in Moore County Schools.
