BECAUSE KIDS MATTER CAROLYN WILL:
Increase Career and Technical Education opportunities
Carolyn supports the creation of a full time trade school and the offering of paid internships through partnering with local businesses.
Preserve land currently owned by the School Board in the Aragona neighborhood
The current Bayside 6th grade campus will be moving and the School Board will declare the land to be surplus property. The Aragona community has expressed the need for a neighborhood park. Several years ago, there were efforts behind the scenes to create apartments on this land. Carolyn helped stop that proposal because the community had not been notified or given input. She supports the desires of the community for open space for a park.
Open a Recovery School for students facing the challenges of substance abuse disorders
A recovery school will help students with addiction be able to get both treatment and an education. Currently, there is nothing available like this in our area and parents must travel to other areas for these services. Carolyn has been recognized nationally for her advocacy to help treat addiction and wants to continue to help save lives here in Virginia Beach
Strengthen the inclusion model and transition services for Special Education
Virginia Beach has improved the special education program over the last few years thanks to the advocacy of Mrs Weems and the parents and community members of the SEAC (Special Education Advisory Committee). However, more work needs to be done to provide more opportunities for students to participate in clubs and extra-curriculars. Also, improving the transition from high school into the work-force or college for students with special needs.
Insist on academic excellence and student accountability
Carolyn supports the return of recognition of Valedictorian and Salutatorian. Also, students must learn accountability through turning in work on time. The change in grading practices has caused much more work for teachers and diminished student accountability.