Hastings Explains Why She Is Running For The Zone C Concord Board Of Education Seat

My name is Brenda Hastings. I have lived in Concord for nearly six decades and am a proud graduate of Concord High School, Class of 1983.

I am equally proud to be a retired teacher in the Concord School District. I taught sixth and third grade for 25 years and had the privilege of knowing so many wonderful families at Broken Ground School.

Since retiring, I have had the honor of representing Wards 8, 9, and 10 on the school board for two terms. As both an educator and a board member, I have seen firsthand the challenges and the possibilities in our schools.

As you can see, I have a long history with Concord education. My classroom experience shapes how I listen, ask questions, and approach the important decisions that affect our students, families, teachers, staff, and community.

My experience as a school board member has been fascinating. I continue to learn about the intricacies and importance of public education. I look forward to learning more from our community and, if re-elected in November, helping lead our district through the challenges ahead.

We must keep our focus firmly on student achievement and give every student the best opportunity to succeed. We need thoughtful conversations about screen time and its impact on learning and well-being, responsible decision-making amid budget constraints, and the ongoing challenge of maintaining class sizes that allow teachers to give students the attention they deserve. We must ensure our students have the facilities and resources they deserve.

All of this must be done while remaining vigilant to the taxpayers who have always supported our students and schools.

The challenges we face are not simple, and there are no easy answers. They require a willingness to listen, collaborate, and carefully consider the facts with open minds and respect.

I want to see the school district continue working alongside other city leaders, the City Council, and our community groups to prepare Concord students for the future. Concord’s unique relationship between its schools and its city government should be cherished, not a source of division and blame.

I am grateful for the trust you have placed in me over the past six years, and I would be honored to continue serving our students, families, educators, and community. I’m ready to keep listening, keep learning, and keep working for our schools and our city.

I hope you will consider voting for me on Nov. 3.