Why I'm interested in serving as County Commissioner
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I have lived in Forsyth County since 1994 when I was hired as superintendent of the Winston-Salem / Forsyth County schools. I retired in June 2013 and am now serving as a professor in Education Leadership at High Point University. During the 19 years that I served as superintendent in Forsyth County, I worked closely with the county commissioners and the County Manager - first, Graham Pervier and then Dudley Watts. I've made 19 budget presentations to the Commissioners and have complete knowledge of the school system's budget that accounts for about 33% of the county general fund. I have a general understanding of the County's overall budget, the tax rate setting process, and the county debt.
I'm interested in bringing jobs to Forsyth County. Economic development and improving the quality of life are the two most important challenges facing Forsyth County. Forsyth County must work with all municipalities on a common vision of what economic development should look like and what all county leadership should do to make that happen. The County and the City of Winston-Salem need to be able to respond quickly to business relocation opportunities. Since many people can work from anywhere, Forsyth County needs to provide a quality of life that attracts these future "live-anywhere" workers to Forsyth County or keep them here. Clearly education, libraries, community recreation, the arts, dining, entertainment, and law enforcement must be evaluated. |
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Accomplishments as Superintendent of schools
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While serving as superintendent of the Winston-Salem / Forsyth County schools, I directed the implementation of the district's school choice plan that began in 1995. The school choice plan has resulted in the Winston-Salem / Forsyth County schools retaining the largest market share of public school students of an urban school districts - Charlotte, Durham, Greensboro, Raleigh, and Winston-Salem.
During the "Great Recession" that began in 2008, I worked with the WSFC Board of Education on a plan to reduce the school budget by $23 million. I am no stranger to budget cuts and know how to set priorities during hard times. I supported the work of a county and school district committee that developed a formula that would remove a lot of guesswork from the school budget-setting process. During the past 19 years, the school district has received over $60 million in grants, the largest being a $19 million Teacher Incentive Fund Grant that has allowed the district to reward teachers for excellent performance and provide training to teachers. The result has been significant improvements in student performance. During the past 19 years, the school district experienced three different student testing programs, and the district now ranks second or third among the five urban school districts in student test scores. By working with community groups, the high school graduation rate has improved from 65% to 81%. In addition, successful bond issues in 1995, 2001, and 2006 have allowed the district to construct nearly $600 million in new school construction, and renovation projects. |
Family
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My wife, Rita, just retired as the guidance director at North Forsyth High School. I have two sons and one stepdaughter. All are married and live in North Carolina. Tom and Katie Martin live in Pfafftown and have two children - Delanie Beth, who is 4 years old and Sidda Leigh, who is 1. John and Jamie Martin live in Advance and Ashley and Chad Carney live in Raleigh.
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Education, Recognitions, and Awards
I graduated from Duke University in 1973 with a BA degree in Physics and received a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree from Duke in 1974. After teaching math and physics for four years at Wilkes Central High School in North Carolina, I attended the University of Kentucky and received an Ed.D degree in Educational Administration in 1980.
In 2011 I was named the NC Superintendent of the Year and in 2009 I received the NC Distinguished Educator Award by the North Carolina Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. I have been selected as the administrator / superintendent of the year by a number of organizations: the NC Association of Athletes, Health Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (2008); the NC Association of School Libraries (1997); the NC Music Educators (1996); and the NC Association of Dance Educators (1995). In 1989 I was named the "Newsmaker" of the year by the Salisbury Post.
In 2011 I was named the NC Superintendent of the Year and in 2009 I received the NC Distinguished Educator Award by the North Carolina Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. I have been selected as the administrator / superintendent of the year by a number of organizations: the NC Association of Athletes, Health Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (2008); the NC Association of School Libraries (1997); the NC Music Educators (1996); and the NC Association of Dance Educators (1995). In 1989 I was named the "Newsmaker" of the year by the Salisbury Post.