“Every child deserves a high-quality education that prepares them for success in college, careers, and life” - Joy Brown CCSD students are making real academic progress. More students are meeting grade-level expectations, graduation rates have improved, and the district continues to outperform South Carolina overall in reading and math. We should celebrate that progress and build on what is working. But district averages do not tell the whole story. Too many students are still not meeting grade-level expectations, and persistent achievement gaps remain. In fact, the gap between Black and white student achievement in CCSD remains nearly 50 percentage points. As your School Board trustee, I will focus on making sure every student has access to the strong academics, opportunities, and support they need to succeed. Here's how we achieve this together! Close Persistent Achievement Gaps ● Closing persistent achievement gaps by ensuring Black and Brown students have equitable access to high-quality instruction, experienced teachers, rigorous coursework, enrichment opportunities, and the support they need to succeed. ● Student growth and achievement from early childhood through graduation. Build Strong Foundations in Reading and Math ● Strong literacy instruction and academic achievement across all subject areas. ● Summer enrichment programming. ● Evidence-based approaches and proven practices that help all students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Expand Opportunity for All CCSD Students ● Robust arts and music programs, which research consistently shows improve student engagement, creativity, critical thinking, attendance, and academic outcomes. ● Career and technical education opportunities that prepare students for in-demand careers and multiple pathways to success. Refocus Attention on Student Success ● I believe academic excellence means creating well-rounded educational experiences that challenge, inspire, and prepare every student to reach their full potential.

“Our educators are the heart of our schools, and strong schools depend on supporting the people who work directly with students every day, as well as ensuring learning environments where every child feels safe, supported, and ready to succeed” - Joy Brown Strong schools depend on the educators and staff who serve our students every day. CCSD raised the starting teacher salary to $64,782, an important step. But supporting educators requires looking at what that salary can actually buy. In West Ashley, where the typical home sells for around $485,000, affordability is increasingly part of the challenge. Educators across District 7 need a salary, benefits, and resources that allows them to live in the communities they serve, along with manageable workloads, adequate staffing, planning time, classroom resources, and leaders who listen to them. Here's how we achieve this together! Give Educators The Tools They Need To Be Successful ● Provide educators with the resources, training, and support they need to succeed in the classroom. ● Create school environments where teachers and staff feel valued, supported, and empowered to do their best work. Listen And Learn From Educators ● Respect the professional expertise of teachers and ensure their voices meaningfully inform decision-making. Make Responsible Budget Decisions That Make It Possible For Educators To LIve And Work Where They Choose ● Recruit and retain outstanding teachers, school staff, and support personnel. ● Support competitive compensation and explore strategies that help educators afford to live in the communities they serve. Create Safe And Supportive Environments ● Strengthen school safety measures that protect students and staff and promote secure learning environments. ● Expand access to student mental health supports, including counseling and wellness resources. ● Foster positive, respectful school climates where every student feels a sense of belonging. ● Build strong family-school partnerships that keep communication open and ensure students are supported at every level.

“Public schools belong to the public. Families and taxpayers deserve to know how decisions are made, where their money is going, and whether those decisions are helping our students.” - Joy Brown The School Board is responsible for much more than attending meetings and voting on proposals. Trustees oversee public dollars, set priorities for the district, hold the superintendent accountable, and make decisions that affect thousands of students, families, educators, and taxpayers. That responsibility requires transparency, accountability, and disciplined leadership. CCSD spends close to $2 million a year on legal fees, raising important questions about how public dollars are being used and whether more of those resources could be reaching students and classrooms. As your School Board trustee, I will work to restore public trust by making Board decisions easier to understand, strengthening oversight of public dollars, and keeping the Board focused on students. Here's how we achieve this together! Ensure Every Board Action Is Fair And Transparent ● Promote open, honest, and timely communication with families, educators, and the community. ● Ensure true transparency through clear decision-making processes and easy access to information. ● Encourage meaningful community involvement and create opportunities for authentic public input. ● Build trust between schools, families, and the broader community through consistent engagement and responsiveness. Strengthen Oversight Of Public Dollars ● Keep public school dollars in public schools and prioritize classroom needs. ● Ensure efficient and accountable use of resources at every level of the district. ● Make investments that directly support student learning, teacher effectiveness, and school improvement. Make Responsible Budget Decisions That Make It Possible For Educators To LIve And Work Where They Choose ● Recruit and retain outstanding teachers, school staff, and support personnel. ● Support competitive compensation and explore strategies that help educators afford to live in the communities they serve. Restore Good Governance ● Support strong board governance that focuses on strategic leadership, effective oversight, and accountability for results. ● Engage in long-term, sustainable planning that anticipates future needs rather than reacting to crises. ● Ensure decisions are made with integrity, responsible stewardship of public resources, and a clear focus on student outcomes. Hold The Board Accountable To The Public● I believe transparency is more than sharing information after decisions are made. It means communicating early, listening carefully, and engaging the community as a genuine partner in shaping the future of our schools. Strong governance and effective communication are essential to building public trust and moving our district forward together. ● I believe responsible stewardship means every dollar should be aligned with improving outcomes for students while maintaining public trust through transparency and accountability.