Dawn McCray
Serving on the Franklin County School Board over these past four years has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. Our school system is truly special - from our dedicated staff members to our generational service and pride, to the strong sense of community that surrounds our students and staff.
I believe in collaboration and strong working relationships. During my first term I worked closely with my fellow board members, administrators, teachers, and families to navigate both challenges and opportunities. Leadership is often about making tough decisions, and I have never shied away from doing what I think is in the best interests of our students, even when it wasn’t the easy or popular choice.
Coming out of the Covid pandemic, our community faced complex issues - from learning loss to staff shortages, budget shortfalls, and more. There were no easy answers. Together, we made important strides in restoring stability, improving student outcomes, and investing in programs that strengthen both academic achievement and career readiness.
I am proud of the progress we have made, but I know there is more work ahead. Our staff and community’s commitment to our students inspire me, and I remain dedicated to ensuring that every student in Franklin County has the resources, opportunities, and support they need to succeed.
Chair, Franklin County School Board, Boone District.
Mom, wife, friend, business woman, neighbor, and now, write-in candidate for school board.
“Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel.” Socrates
“School boards need to focus on the business of providing a quality education. Identity politics has no place in education. We need to respect and appreciate that we are so much more than our skin color, our sex, and our ethnicity. What unites us is our American ideas.”
Dawn McCray
“Self determination is the foundation to the American promise.” Greg Lukianoff, The Empowering of the American Mind. Fixing K-12 Education.
A School Board Member
Franklin County spends approximately 62% of its overall budget on public education, and school leaders are responsible for using those funds to deliver a proper and quality education for all children. School board members are elected by the community and are responsible for holding schools accountable to their mission. As school board members we have a duty to our community. We need to be engaged, to take the time and listen, ask questions, even the tough questions, make decisions, and communicate.
Focus on What Matters
“Limited resources means we must focus our energies on the business of education. Everything else is a distraction.” Dawn McCray
Parent Choice
Everyone has role to play in education. Franklin County is blessed with many dedicated educators who care and work hard to provide a quality education. Teachers cannot do it alone; parents need to be engaged and they need to know what is being taught in the classroom. Parents are the final authority on what what is best for their child and their family.
Career & Tech. Education
College and technical education have been treated like an either/or proposition. And for far too long the emphasis to our young people is that the only way to be successful is a college education, but that is simply not true. Neglecting one at the expense of the other is short-sighted, undermines so many of our youth and hurts our communities.
Learning Disabilities
Franklin County is blessed with committed teachers, but as a parent of a daughter with dyslexia, I know very well the struggle for resources that truly make a difference. Franklin County does many things well, but LD is an area where improvement is still needed, I promise you, LD will have a voice!
Communicate
My pledge is to communicate with you on the issues facing our school system.
Paid for by Friends of Dawn McCray - Boone.