Seven candidates who are vying for three open seats on the Alamance-Burlington school board responded to The Alamance News’ biennial issues questionnaire this week, revealing widespread agreement on issues most likely to impact voters, such as whether ABSS needs more county funding or whether additional schools will be needed within the next four years.
The seven candidates are: Stephanie Long Enoch of Green Level; Katharine Frazier of Burlington; Dr. Eric Hall of Elon; Dr. Samira Khan of Burlington; Dr. Charles Parker of Mebane; Kyle Ward of Graham; and Brandy Whittaker of Burlington.
[Story continues below story on candidates’ partisan affiliations in the non-partisan race.]
What are the partisan affiliations of candidates in non-partisan school board race? https://alamancenews.com/the-public-asks-what-are-the-party-affiliations-of-the-candidates-running-in-non-partisan-races/
Parker is seeking reelection to a second term. Hall, who was appointed in May 2025 to complete the remaining term of former school board member Chuck Marsh, is seeking his first full four-year term.
Whittaker previously ran unsuccessfully for Burlington’s city council in 2023 and also applied for the appointment to complete Marsh’s partial term in 2025 that ultimately went to Hall.
Incumbent school board member Dan Ingle had initially filed for reelection but later withdrew from the race.
All seven candidates say that county funding for ABSS is insufficient. But only Enoch, Hall, and Ward said they would advocate for a property tax increase to provide more funding for ABSS.
There was little agreement, however, between the candidates about what percentage of the annual county budget should be allocated to ABSS. Only Enoch and Ward identified a specific target for the percentage of the county’s total budget – now about 30 percent – that should be allocated to ABSS.
For example, Enoch says, “30-35%,” adding that the target percentage should be based on “demonstrated needs, with transparent spending and measurable improvements in student achievement.”
Frazier says the appropriate percentage is to be determined, elaborating, “We should base it on actual needs, not a predetermined percentage allocation goal, which could result in wasteful spending.”
Hall also didn’t identify a specific percentage of the budget that should go to ABSS, saying he is more concerned with “ensuring ABSS receives the funding necessary to meet students’ needs, support educators, and maintain safe, effective schools.”
Khan also didn’t identify a target percentage, saying, “Our schools need adequate funding to support students, teachers, and safe learning environments. Funding should reflect actual needs and responsible use of taxpayer money.”
Says Parker, “There is no fixed percentage. ABSS funding should [be] justified by enrollment, statutory obligations, facilities, staffing competitiveness, and documented student needs.”
Ward believes that between 33 and 35 percent of the annual county budget should be allocated to ABSS, which he says “would better support classroom needs, competitive teacher supplements, student services, safe facilities, and academic improvement while maintaining responsible budgeting and accountability.”
Whitaker also didn’t specify what percentage of the county budget should be allocated to ABSS but believes that the commissioners and school board “should be able to have a civil conversation about priority,” the funding percentage, and long-term needs.
All seven say county funding should increase even though enrollment hasn’t
Another dimension of school funding, however, is the fact that county funding for ABSS has continued to increase, while enrollment has remained flat, compared to pre-pandemic levels, even as the county’s total population continues to climb.
All seven school board candidates say the commissioners need to increase funding for ABSS in order to keep up with inflation.
Enoch says, “Funding should reflect rising costs, teacher salaries, facility maintenance, and student needs, not enrollment alone.”
Frazier urges, “The county should responsibly address costs of aging infrastructure and instructional gaps. The fastest-growing budget segment is charger schools, which aligns with stated enrollment trends.” [State law requires ABSS to share approximately 10 percent of its county allocation with charter schools where students from Alamance County are enrolled.]
Hall also says that county funding for ABSS should address “rising costs, competitive compensation, special education, transportation, facilties, technology, and student needs.”
Khan says, “Funding should reflect students’ needs, teacher support, school safety, and the quality of education we provide.”
Parker believes that determinations about county funding for ABSS should be data-driven but also account for the fact that ABSS serves students with greater needs (such as students in the Exceptional Children’s program who have Individual Education Plans, or IEPs, and English language learners.) “Tie discretionary investments to defined goals, public dashboards, independent evaluation, and periodic renewal or redesign when results do not materialize,” he explains. “Fund proven strategies, not bureaucracy or past practice.”
Ward, on the other hand, believes county funding for ABSS should keep pace with inflation. “Rising operating costs, competitive teacher pay, facility needs, student support services, and equitable resources,” he says, “require continued investment, guided by measurable outcomes and responsible spending.”
Whittaker agrees that inflationary costs should be factored into decisions about county funding for ABSS. “Our system has to account for rising costs of things like power. The rate charged by Duke Energy is [nowhere] near the same as pre-pandemic levels.”
[Story continues below response to each of the candidate’s three main issues.]
Another bond referendum?
The seven candidates were mixed in their views about whether another bond referendum will be needed to fund repairs to existing schools and/or the construction of new schools.
For instance, ABSS superintendent Dr. Aaron Fleming suggested in the fall of 2025 that two new elementary schools and a new middle school will be needed within the next several years.
Frazier, Hall, Parker, and Whittaker all say another school bond referendum may be needed within the next four years to address capacity and aging facilities.
Enoch and Ward say another bond referendum isn’t needed; Khan didn’t respond to the question.
[Story continues below.]
Why are only some of Samira Khan’s answers included:https://alamancenews.com/from-the-publisher-why-only-some-answers-from-samira-khan/
Frazier says, “We are one of the fastest growing counties in the state, and with that comes the reality of school capacity. Elementary schools are likely to exceed capacity in [five] years. We need smart, balanced growth, but realistically, that will require at least one new elementary school very soon.”
Hall agrees, pointing to the statutorily-required school facilities plan that was completed for ABSS in the fall of 2025 and indicated that three new schools would be needed in the future. “Any referendum should be guided by those findings, enrollment projections, clearly prioritized projects, transparent costs, and meaningful public input.”
Parker says, “Possibly, but only after completing a facilities assessment, prioritizing preventive maintenance, and presenting a transparent long-range capital plan. Greatest needs are likely aging elementary and middle-school facilities, major building systems, safety upgrades, and classroom capacity where growth data demonstrate sustained demand.”
For her part, Whittaker agrees with the superintendent’s forecast of the need for more elementary and middle schools, adding that aging heating and cooling systems and roofs need to be addressed. “Many of our schools are also facing 25-year HVAC and roof installation,” she says. “As those schools age, repairs and replacements will be needed.”
School board pay
Four candidates – Frazier, Parker, Ward, and Whittaker – say that the current $300 monthly stipend that school board members receive is adequate and that they wouldn’t vote to increase the stipend during the next four years.
Enoch and Hall say that the current stipend isn’t adequate for service on the school board; Enoch says she would vote to double the stipend, “with periodic reviews to ensure compensation remains reasonable and fiscally responsible.” Hall says he would not vote to increase the stipend.
Enoch elaborates, “The role requires substantial time for meetings, preparation, community engagement, and policy oversight.”
Khan didn’t respond to the question.
Dimensions of state funding for K-12 education
The candidates split markedly in their views about whether additional charter schools should be allowed to open in Alamance County.
Four – Frazier, Hall, Parker, and Whittaker – say they support the concept of allowing additional charter schools to be started in the county. Enoch and Ward say they oppose the concept; Khan didn’t respond to the question.
[Story continues below question on area(s) of greatest disagreement with current school board.]
Enoch says she opposes the concept, reasoning, “Additional charter schools may divert funding and students from ABSS. I would support strengthening existing public schools, improving academic outcomes, and ensuring equitable resources for all students.”
Ward says the county already has enough school choice options. “Expanding charters further diverts funding from public schools that serve all students and communities.”
On the other hand, the four candidates who support allowing additional charter schools to open in the county say parents should have more options for where to send their children.
Frazier says, “A healthy educational system includes both choice AND traditional public schools that parents are excited to choose” and that traditional K-12 and charter schools should learn from each other.
Hall says he supports allowing additional charter schools to open in the county, “provided they meet rigorous standards, demonstrate need, protect student rights, and do not weaken ABSS.”
Parker agrees, saying, “New charters should meet demonstrated need, operate transparently, and serve all students equitably.”
Whittaker says she supports that option “as long as they follow all of the state guidelines” that traditional K-12 public schools are required to follow.
Opportunity Scholarships
The candidates are evenly divided about whether they support or oppose the use of state funding for Opportunity Scholarships to offset the cost of tuition for children who send their children to private schools.
In fact, though the school board is ostensibly nonpartisan, the candidates’ responses split along party lines (see related story, this edition). Republicans have generally said they support Opportunity Scholarships, which they say represents another form of school choice. Democrats have been opposed to what they typically refer to as “vouchers,” arguing that they divert funds to private schools that aren’t subject to the same level of scrutiny or requirements for providing special education, transportation, or school meals.
Two of the three registered Democrats, Enoch and Whittaker, oppose the use of state funding for Opportunity Scholarships. (Khan, also a Democrat, didn’t respond to the question.)
The two Republican candidates, Frazier and Parker, say they support Opportunity Scholarships.
The unaffiliated candidates, Hall and Ward, differ on whether state funding should be used to support this type of school choice for families.
Enoch reasons, “State funds for private-school tuition may create budget pressures for public schools; families may face tuition gaps, transportation barriers, or limited access to participating schools.”
Whittaker says, “The current voucher system does not hold private schools to the same standards of review.”
Frazier says she supports Opportunity Scholarships – while adding the caveat that eligibility should be restricted to students from low-income families – because they give “economically disadvantaged families options when ‘one size does not fit all.’”
Parker says he supports this type of school choice but adds, “Opportunity Scholarships should not reduce the resources needed for strong, well-funded public schools serving every child.”
Among the unaffiliated candidates, Hall supports the concept; Ward opposes Opportunity Scholarships.
“I support the concept…when families demonstrate need and evidence shows funds are used effectively, transparently, and accountably without undermining public schools,” Hall elaborates.
Ward opposes Opportunity Scholarships because “they can divert public funds from public schools without ensuring disadvantaged students have equal access or benefit from these scholarships.”
[Story continues below responses to why they’re running for school board.]
Academics and school performance
Five of the seven candidates – Enoch, Hall, Khan, Parker, and Ward – ranked bolstering student skills in traditional areas such as reading and writing as their top goals for the school system.
Enoch said, “This ranking prioritizes foundational academic skills and meeting the diverse learning needs of students. Standardized tests are also important, while additional arts and language offerings come afterward.”
Said Hall, “I would prioritize early literacy and mathematics, especially ensuring students build strong foundational skills and receive timely, individualized support when they struggle.”
Frazier listed “expanding curriculum to include more offerings” in music, dance, and foreign language; Whitaker listed special instruction for gifted students and students with learning disabilities.
Frazier said the school system’s curriculum isn’t adequate, adding, “But getting better! Want more focus on knowledge-building in elementary: history, civics, geography, science, and the arts. Also, structured writing curriculum.”
Whitaker didn’t answer the ‘yes/no’ portion of the question listed on the questionnaire but said, “I believe the General Assembly has set unrealistic expectations on public schools and systems like ABSS to the ‘teach to test’ standards.”
Social policy
Four candidates – Enoch, Hall, Khan, and Whittaker – gave no response to the newspaper’s question about whether they support or oppose a provision within the North Carolina Parents’ Bill of Rights that prohibits classroom instruction on gender identity, sexual activity, or sexuality in public schools for students in kindergarten through fourth grade.
Enoch says she doesn’t take a personal position on the policy.
Frazier, Parker, and Ward express support for the prohibition against instruction on gender identity and sexuality in elementary school.
Three candidates (Frazier, Parker, and Ward) say they support a separate state law, The Fairness in Women’s Sports Act, which limits participation in girls’ sports to biological girls.
Four candidates – Enoch, Hall, Khan, and Whittaker – didn’t respond to the question.
Enoch also says she doesn’t take a personal position on the prohibition against transgender girls participating in school sponsored sports.
Hall adds, “There is more nuance to this discussion and the questions are not worded in a way to be able to give discussion.”
School safety
Six candidates agree that ABSS needs to maintain the existing number of School Resource Officers in schools, though several say that mental health support is a needed component of school safety.
Enoch says SROS “can promote safety without unnecessarily criminalizing student behavior” but should be supplemented with additional counselors and mental health professionals, as well as anti-bullying education, keyless entry systems, emergency preparedness training, and strong partnerships with families and law enforcement.
Frazier says she’d be open to increasing the number of SROs “if need is demonstrated,” but believes that every school should have at least one.
Hall also supports expanding school counselors and mental health support for students. “SROs provide safety and relationships, but should receive clear training, defined roles, and accountability.”
Parker says ABSS should maintain its existing coverage, while evaluating each school’s needs. “Funding should complement, not replace, mental-health and behavioral supports,” he says.
Ward believes that SROS are an important component of school safety, while supporting resources for prevention and student support services.
Ward and Enouch say they would support additional SROs at the “most populous” schools and in the high schools.
Whittaker said she’d like to analyze the costs and benefits of SROs “before making a decision to change the program currently in place.”
Khan didn’t respond to the question (see separate story, noted above).
Only two candidates say they support accepting a $3.2 million state grant that has been offered to ABSS – which was previously rejected by New Hanover County schools – to fund the start-up costs to connect existing surveillance systems and cameras to AI-enabled software to monitor potential safety threats.
Enoch and Parker support the $3.2 million grant.
Frazier, Hall, Ward, and Whittaker say they don’t support accepting the grant funding, though Hall says more information is needed to make a decision.
Khan gave no response to the question.
Candidate bios appear here: https://alamancenews.com/meet-the-candidates-for-abss-school-board-2/, and their responses to the newspaper’s issues questionnaire can be found HERE. The candidates’ responses were edited to comply with the word limits specified for each question – generally a 15-word maximum elaboration, or 25- and 50-word limit on responses.
The early voting period began last Thursday and runs through 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 31. Election Day is Tuesday, November 3.
