Parents, You Have a Voice in Cumberland County Schools

A new school year brings fresh goals, new teachers, busy schedules — and important decisions about the future of our children.

As parents, it can sometimes feel like those decisions are made somewhere else, by someone else. But your voice matters. In Cumberland County Schools, families have meaningful opportunities to ask questions, share ideas, volunteer, participate in school leadership, and help shape the direction of our schools.

The key is knowing where to start and staying involved throughout the year.

I’m running for the Cumberland County Board of Education because I believe parents deserve a stronger voice in the decisions affecting their children. Our schools are strongest when families, teachers, administrators, and community leaders work together with a shared purpose: Students First. Teachers Supported. Parents Heard. Schools Safe.

Start with your child’s school

The most direct way to make a difference is to build a relationship with your child’s school.

Reach out to your child’s teacher, principal, parent facilitator, or School Improvement Team chairperson. Ask what opportunities are available this year and how parents can participate. Every school has different needs, schedules, programs, and volunteer opportunities, so a simple conversation can help you find the right place to contribute.

You may be able to:

• Attend curriculum nights and parent information sessions
• Participate in parent-teacher conferences
• Volunteer in a classroom, office, media center, or computer lab
• Help with field trips, special programs, and school events
• Serve as a guest speaker or career resource
• Support clubs, athletics, coaching, and extracurricular activities
• Join your school’s PTA or PTO
• Participate on a School Improvement Team

You don’t have to attend every meeting or volunteer every week to make a difference. Sometimes the most valuable contribution is sharing a thoughtful concern, offering a practical idea, or helping another family find the right resource.

Small actions build stronger partnerships.

Participate in the decisions that affect families

Parents can attend School Board meetings, serve as parent representatives on School Improvement Teams, join School Parent Advisory Teams, participate in PTA or PTO leadership, and represent their schools through the District Parent Advisory Team.

These roles may look different from one school to another, but they share one important purpose: bringing family perspectives into conversations about student achievement, school climate, safety, resources, and school improvement.

If you are interested in participating, begin by contacting your school principal, School Improvement Team chairperson, PTA or PTO officers, or parent facilitator. You can also review the district’s Ways to Get Involved page for information about parent involvement and volunteer opportunities.

A parent’s voice is most effective when it is informed, respectful, specific, and consistent. Bring the facts you know. Share your experience. Ask how decisions are made — and follow up.

Attend School Board meetings and stay engaged

School Board meetings are one of the most visible ways to learn about district priorities and public decisions.

Attending a meeting can help you understand what is being discussed, what challenges the district is facing, and how board members are responding. Even when you do not speak, your presence shows that families are paying attention.

Before attending, review the Cumberland County Schools Board of Education page for meeting information, agendas, policies, and participation details. If you plan to address the board, prepare a concise statement focused on one issue or recommendation.

A productive public comment might include:

1. The issue you are addressing
2. How it affects students, teachers, or families
3. What you believe would help
4. A respectful request for consideration or follow-up

The goal is not simply to be heard once. The goal is to help create better conversations and better outcomes over time.

Accountability works best when the community stays involved.

Use family engagement programs as a practical resource

The Cumberland Family Academy provides workshops, family resources, and engagement opportunities. Topics may include helping students with homework, understanding curriculum, navigating technology, supporting adolescent behavior, and learning about programs available to families.

The district’s Family Ambassador Program offers another way to get involved. Family Ambassadors serve as advocates, communicators, and connectors within their school communities.

This is especially valuable for families who may be new to the district, unfamiliar with school procedures, or unsure where to turn with a question.

When families connect, students benefit.

Speak up about the issues that matter most

Parents should feel welcome discussing the issues that shape a student’s daily experience. That includes:

• School safety and secure facilities
• Clear and consistent discipline
• Teacher support and classroom resources
• Student attendance and academic achievement
• Mental health and student well-being
• Transportation and communication
• Career and technical education
• College, military, trade, and workforce preparation
• Extracurricular activities and athletics
• Transparency in district decision-making

That does not mean every decision will satisfy every family. It does mean parents deserve clear explanations, timely communication, and a meaningful opportunity to participate.

As a father, community volunteer, local Realtor, and President of the Terry Sanford Athletic Booster Club, I have seen firsthand how much dedication exists in Cumberland County Schools. I have also seen why continued parent involvement and strong leadership are necessary.

Progress and accountability belong together.

Turn your back-to-school concern into a plan

1. Save the important dates

Check the district and school calendars for open houses, parent meetings, conference nights, holidays, early release days, and School Board meetings.

2. Introduce yourself

Send a short message to your child’s teacher and ask how you can best support learning at home and at school.

3. Choose one opportunity

Join the PTA or PTO, volunteer for an event, attend a Cumberland Family Academy session, or ask about serving as a parent representative.

4. Follow the information

Pay attention to district announcements, school messages, family engagement opportunities, and notices about public meetings or surveys.

5. Keep the conversation going

If you raise a concern, follow up. If you offer an idea, ask what the next step might be. If something is working well, say so. Constructive encouragement matters, too.

Our children get one opportunity at an education

A strong school system is not built by administrators alone. It is built by teachers who care, families who participate, students who are supported, and community leaders who are willing to listen and act.

This school year, I encourage every parent in Cumberland County to find one way to become more involved. Attend a meeting. Ask a question. Volunteer. Join a team. Support a teacher. Speak up about safety. Share what your child needs.

Your voice can help shape a stronger school community — not just for your own child, but for every student across Cumberland County.

Our children get one opportunity at an education. We owe it to them to make it count.Bryan Moore