A track record of advocacy.
This is Lauren's first time running for office, but she is has spent the last five years engaging with Durham Public Schools to propose solutions to the challenges the District faces.
As a parent of two children with reading disabilities, Lauren learned that E.K. Powe did not have any reading specialists or interventionists. In her role as PTA president, she partnered with teachers to bring more comprehensive reading intervention services into the building.
First, she collaborated with school administration to fund a partnership with the Hill Center to provide intensive reading intervention for students who needed extra support. Powe's partnership with the Hill Center is still a key component of the PTA's budget. In addition, Lauren worked closely with Powe teachers to train parent and community volunteers who worked 2-3 times a week with individual students to help them develop their reading and writing skills.
Lauren continues to advocate for more equitable allocation of staff positions to schools, including increased transparency around how central office makes those allocation decisions. Educators and parents deserve to know how the district makes decisions about resources. And all students deserve the academic supports they need to be successful.
Expertise & Empathy.
Beyond her work at Powe, Lauren's advocacy has ranged from redistricting to Exceptional Children to technology policy. As an expert in her field, she continues to offer her perspective on how to improve DPS operations.
Growing Together
Lauren has been a vocal advocate for students, parents and teachers as the District rolled-out its Growing Together redistricting process.
Budget
Many of DPS' crises in recent years have been due to a lack of critical oversight from the Board. Lauren has advocated for clarity, transparency and sustainability in our budgeting process.
Position Allocations
As the District's new CFO, Jeremy Teetor, has come on board, there has been increasing transparency around how staffing works within DPS. This is a good thing, but it's raised important issues that need to be explored.
