Issue Position: Education

Issue Position

Hugh served on Burke County's School Board for 8 years some years ago. During that time, he successfully led the fight for reduced-class size in the first, second and third grades so as to have a ratio in those grades of one teacher for every fifteen students. He also was a consistent advocate for introduction of computer technology into our schools with the result that Burke County had extensive technology in its schools earlier than in most counties across North Carolina. For all 8 years he was a regular visitor and observer in all our schools so that he might be better informed in the performance of his job. He has been a trustee at WPCC for four years and was just reappointed to a second four-year term. He will be a strong advocate for a quality education for all ages and will be an energetic advocate in Raleigh. Hugh will work hard for the necessary funding for worker re-training for employees struggling because of lost employment---a critical aspect of improving Burke County's job/economic situation. As a legislator in Raleigh he'll fight the present policies in Raleigh that have produced a statewide drop out rate of over 30% of entering 9th graders who don't graduate from high school four years later.

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