André Richmond, candidate for Orange County Board of Education
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Candidates for Orange County Board of Education
Who are the candidates running for the Orange County Board of Education? At least two new members will be elected to replace retiring board members Hillary MacKenzie and Brenda Stephens. Get to know your candidates with our Voter Guide.
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Seven people are running in the May 17 primary to fill four seats on the nonpartisan Orange County Board of Education.
Orange County sheriff’s deputy André Richmond is running against incumbent board members Will Atherton and Sarah Smylie, and four other challengers, Penny Carter King, Bethni Lee, Anne Purcell, and Ashley Wheeler.
An eighth candidate, Garfield “Garen” McClure, will appear on the ballot, but told The News & Observer that he was dropping out of the race on March 14.
Board member Hillary MacKenzie and board Vice Chair Brenda Stephens, whose terms end this year, are not seeking reelection.
Early voting in the primary begins April 28 and runs through May 14.
To find polling places and full details on early voting, visit co.orange.nc.us/1720/Elections or contact the Board of Elections at 919-245-2350 or vote@orangecountync.gov.
Name: André Richmond
Age: 42
Occupation: Law enforcement, Orange County Sheriff’s Office; Orange County Schools teacher’s aide, bus driver and assistant basketball coach from 1999-2001
Education: Orange High School graduate, 1998; Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate, Sheriff’s Training and Standards Division; Polygraph certificate, American International Institute of Polygraph; Advance School Resource Officer Certificate, N.C. Justice Academy
Political or civic experience: School resource officer supervisor for Orange County Schools; member, Orange County/Hillsborough Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Orange County My Brothers and My Sisters Keepers Board, Hillsborough US 70 Branch SECU Advisory Board and Volunteers for Youth Board; volunteer, Orange Partnership for Alcohol and Drug Free Youth Advisory Committee, and Orange County Department on Aging Project Engage Intergenerational Senior Resource Team; 2013 Officer of the Year
Campaign website: andrerichmondforocs.com
Who are your top three campaign contributors? Myself, Denelle Richmond (my wife),
Why do you want to serve on the Orange County school board?
I bring 23 years of combined experience working within the Orange County Schools district and with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. As a school staff member, I experienced firsthand the struggles and challenges our teachers face. As a Sheriff’s Office captain supervising the school resource officers and working with the students, I’ve learned what our students are missing. My experiences inspire a desire and duty to present new ideas to ensure every student receives the education they deserve.
What would be your three top priorities if elected? Choose one, and explain how you would address it.
▪ Diversity
▪ Security and Safety
▪ Expanded community engagement
Expanding community engagement and volunteer opportunities for our students, and ensuring that teachers have the time and resources needed to do what they do best: teaching engaging with, and inspiring our children.
What are the Orange County Schools doing right? What are they doing wrong or missing?
I think that Orange County Schools’ continued efforts to address racial equity have been very positive. I see now more than before where Orange County Schools’ have begun to acknowledge that every student’s needs should be met and there is a barrier faced by our Black and brown students’ academic achievement that needs addressing. I would like to see a greater focus on diversity by recruiting from Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Community Engagement by reaching out to our community partners for volunteer and mentoring opportunities, and safety and security by addressing schools infrastructure and mandating state and federal school safety guidelines.
How should the board address issues of diversity, equity and inclusion among staff and students?
Actively recruiting from our local Historically Black Colleges and Universities would address the issues of diversity and inclusion by bringing representation to the forefront. In doing such, we mirror our student population by providing avenues through which they can succeed via supportive, positive role models who are educating them. Equity can be addressed through community engagement by incorporating volunteer support for our teachers so that every student’s needs can be met throughout the district.
