I'm Meredith Ballew and I am running for the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education.

Improving outcomes for ALL students is my number one priority.

I am passionate about creating equitable opportunities for students from historically marginalized communities, improving services and instruction for students with disabilities, and attracting and retaining high-quality, compassionate educators and staff.

As a native of Chapel Hill and a 1994 graduate of Chapel Hill High School, I know first-hand the unique characteristics and challenges of our wonderfully diverse community. After some time living out of state, I returned to my beloved hometown of Chapel Hill several years ago where my husband and I are now raising our two children.

I believe in:

• An equitable, truly inclusive environment for all learners

• Increased support and individualization for students with disabilities

• A collaborative, supportive, well-resourced workplace for faculty and staff

• A continued focus on mental health and social-emotional development

• Purposeful collaboration with the University and community, leveraging local resources and talent for the betterment of our public schools

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The importance of public education was instilled in me from a young age by my late father, a long-time math professor in UNC’s School of Education. He believed that all students could succeed with the right supports and resources and knew that highly-trained, compassionate educators could help change the trajectory of their students’ lives. It is with this basic premise in mind that I seek a seat on the Board of Education. If elected, I hope to build engagement and collaboration opportunities with various University departments and institutes such as the School of Education, Athletics, TEACCH and others.
 

I am a graduate of Vanderbilt University (BA-Spanish Literature/Sociology) and hold a master’s degree (MPA-Public Policy Analysis and Non-Profit Management) from New York University’s Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service. In addition to holding leadership positions within the YMCA of Greater New York, a post-9/11 business and cultural development organization, and a parks conservancy, I have served as PTA president and as a parent member of the “School Leadership Team” of my children’s public elementary school and served as a parent liaison for Scroggs Elementary School to the Special Needs Advisory Council (“SNAC”).
 

As a member of the CHCCS Board of Education, I will always strive for equity and transparency, will thoughtfully consider others’ perspectives and aim to amplify the voices of those from minority communities. My academic and professional background in public policy and non-profit management will enable me to thoroughly research and analyze all issues before the board in order to make informed decisions on behalf of our district. I would be honored to have your support so we can improve outcomes for all of our district’s learners.

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