Matt Sears, candidate for Durham school board
Name: Matt Sears
Email: mattmsears@gmail.com
Political party: Democrat
Date of birth: 43
Campaign website: votemattsears.com
Occupation and employer: Director, Duke University
Education: B.S. Mathematics from Purdue University, Masters of Arts in Teaching from UNC-CH
Have you run for elected office before? Yes, Board of Education successfully in 2014, 2018
Please list highlights of your civic involvement: Neighborhood College, Board of Education 8 years
Who are your top three campaign contributors? Under $1,000 Threshold. Self.
What are your top three priorities for Durham Public Schools?
1. Move to No. 1 teacher paying district in the state
2. Innovation in Human Resources department
3. Fair compensation for employees in all areas
What does DPS do well? In what areas does it need to improve? *
Well: Principal hiring and supervision, operations, pre-k and advanced academics, Improve: Staffing levels in our buildings
What about your life experience makes you the best person for the school board?
I have worked in schools as a teacher, supported schools as a consultant, and now have deep Board of Education experience. I parent 3 DPS students.
How should the school board evaluate the superintendent and make that process more transparent?
I evaluate the superintendent on the goals we set forth for the district, specifically the 5-year Strategic Plan and its measures, but I also use the NC instrument. I am not confident that the process needs to be more transparent.
Should anti-racism education be taught in the schools, and is DPS doing an adequate job teaching Black history?
Yes, anti-racism is important for both the adults and students in our building. Our teachers teach the standard course of study for NC, which does not do a good enough job allowing our students to see themselves in the curriculum. Our district leaders work to supplement curriculum materials to make them better reflect our students cultures.
What strategies would you advocate to raise the academic achievement of Black boys in the school system?
There are no “silver bullet” programs ... if there were, we’d be using them. We use programs like Capturing Kids Hearts to work on academic achievement through demonstrating care for students. The biggest policy I look to for academic achievement is having/hiring a great superintendent and holding them accountable for making progress for all subgroups.
How can DPS reverse enrollment losses and de facto segregation in its schools?
By improving the academic outcomes for students.
How can DPS better support teachers and other staff and reduce turnover?
Ensure they have quality principals, provide better pay and benefits, ensure they feel there schools are great places to work and learn.
Describe one idea you would like the school board to consider even though it might not be universally popular.
School uniforms.
How can DPS partner with charter schools or learn from their examples?
I’m confident that if charters leading in an area invite our leadership to visit and learn, DPS would attend. Charters are expected to share what they are doing well.