Mike Williams, candidate for Wake County school board District 4, answers our questions
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Candidates for Wake County Board of Education District 4
Sean Callan, Robert Morales Vergara and Mike Williams are running against incumbent Toshiba Rice. Morales discontinued his campaign but will still appear on the ballot. District 4 covers much of Southeast Raleigh. Get to know the candidates with our 2024 NC Voter Guide.
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To help inform voters in the Nov. 5, 2024, election, this candidate questionnaire is available to be republished by local publications in North Carolina without any cost. Please consider subscribing to The News & Observer to help make this coverage possible.
Name: Mike Williams
District/seat: Wake County Board of Education, District 4
Political party: Unaffiliated
Age as of Nov. 5, 2024: 52
Campaign website: docwmsone.com
Current occupation: Education Consultant
Professional experience: 30 years as a youth advocate, educator, administrator, counselor, and entrepreneur
Education: Ed.D Educational Leadership/Social Justice
Please list any notable government or civic involvement: Wake County JCPC; Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc; President, Greater Triangle Chapter of Virginia State University Alumni Association; school board candidate, 2022.
What would be your top priority if elected?
Ensuring equitable funding and resource procurement for schools in the district based upon the needs of the students in the respective schools.
What specific strategies would you promote to improve academic achievement for Wake County students?
Implementing Multi Tiered Systems and Supports (MTSS) principles with fidelity across the board; enlisting more community partners to assist with providing remedial and supplemental activities for students; enlisting additional reading, math, and behavioral specialists to fill in the gaps which exist in student proficiency and performance levels; decreasing class sizes to allow more opportunities for teacher/student interaction and intervention.
How should Wake County respond to the Biden administration’s new Title IX rules involving transgender students?
Accepting federal funding requires compliance with their regulations and guidelines despite personal or constituent beliefs. In essence, if we are going to accept their funds, we must also accept and comply with their regulations. However, if the community is opposed to these regulations, the recourse is through lobbying the representatives and encouraging them to sponsor and/or support legislation which is more closely aligned to the morals and beliefs of the community.
Do you think the legislature should fund about $500 million for private school vouchers through the Opportunity Scholarship program? Why or why not?
Yes. With more options for students, we increase the number of academically prepared, global citizens pursuing career and/or vocational opportunities aligned with their interest. Additionally, fewer students in traditional schools means decreased needs for new facilities, buses, staff, and funding. Those resources can be funneled into additional resources to accommodate the needs of students with elevated academic challenges.
What is your view on installing weapons detectors at every school as a security measure?
I agree if they are coupled with additional counselors and mental heath professionals to assist students deal with their stressors and develop modified coping skills to handle their triggers. Physical implements alone will not decrease the probability of an aggressive/terminal incident. However, changing the culture of the school into an environment where every student in every classroom in every school takes ownership of the school and feels as though they are seen, heard, and valued.
This story was originally published October 17, 2024 at 9:36 AM.
