Keshia Sandidge, Cabarrus County Board of Education candidate, answers our questions

To help inform voters in the Nov. 5, 2024, election, this candidate questionnaire is available to be republished by local publications in North Carolina without any cost. Please consider subscribing to The Charlotte Observer to help make this coverage possible.

Name: Keshia Sandidge

Birth date: Aug. 17, 1978

Campaign website or social media page: None

Occupation: Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW, MSW)

Education: Keshia completed her undergraduate studies and earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice at Barber Scotia College. Later, she completed a Master of Arts Degree in Social Work from the University of South Carolina. She holds a host of Professional Certifications in Social Work.

Have you run for elected office before?

Current - Member, Cabarrus County Board of Education. Candidate - NC Senate District 34 (2022)

Please list your highlights of civic involvement

As a LCSW, Keshia works tirelessly to make a difference in her community. Social work, along with her experience as a mother, has given her a profound understanding of how educational opportunities, paired with collective involvement, serves as a catalyst for potential solutions in improving societal challenges. Her inspiration, “it’s simple, I want to make a difference. My life’s work has been advocating and serving the human interest regardless of socio-economic status.”

What are the most important issues in Cabarrus County Schools today, and how would you address them?

The most pressing issues in Cabarrus County Schools are overcrowding, deferred maintenance, and shortages of bus drivers and EC teachers; all worsened by a lack of funding. We need greater community involvement, better legislation, and likely a bond to fund improvements. A review of current spending is essential to fiscal accountability. I’ll advocate for competitive wages to attract and retain staff, while ensuring students have a safe and well-supported learning environment.

What are your ideas for improving student performance if elected to the school board?

School safety would be at the top of my list. This centers on creating safe zones of learning for our children. My mission has been to ensure our stakeholders are comfortable and protected everyday they step on our campuses. Universally, when our students go to school without fear of internal and external threats, we all can focus on the important work of educating. This has a direct impact on student classroom performance.

What’s your opinion of the school system’s redistricting plan approved earlier this year? And what, if anything would you have done differently?

I opposed redistricting because, as a social worker, I focus on what’s best for each individual student and family, not broad group decisions. The closure of BHES, a high-performing neighborhood school, limits essential options for students. Every scenario presented included closing a school, and although the board requested an option to keep BHES open; it wasn’t provided. Each student’s unique needs should be prioritized, and limiting their choices isn’t in their best interest.

What is your plan to address the achievement gap in Cabarrus County?

Preparing our children for the forthcoming change in how our students receive education in the future is extremely important. We must be aware of and prepared for legislative measures being considered and enacted at the state level. These policies have a direct impact on funding in public education. With changing technologies, access to resources will increasingly become the dividing line between those who succeed and those fail. Lack of funding is a direct threat to a quality education.

What role, if any, would your political affiliation play in your decision making process for the school district?

The best benchmark in politics is bipartisanship. As political leaders, if we put aside partisan politics, and focus on the business of governing, our administrative and educational systems work. If they work efficiently, we respond effectively to problems. When we solve problems in a timely manner, we remove barriers to a world-class education. If our students leave our campuses with a world-class education, our communities instantly become stronger. As I have proven in my first term, I will vote in the best interest of our community, regardless of party affiliation.

What separates you from your opponents and makes you the best choice on November’s ballot?

I’ve learned listening is what my supporters value. The ability to process information, quickly prioritize challenges, and create an environment of healthy exchange, are my strengths. I always seek to focus on what is being said beyond the noise. When I listen, I learn what is important to my peers and our constituents. This enables me to work to find common ground and purpose. This strength counters hyper partisanship and enables me to respond to issues and concerns effectively and efficiently.