Greene County – Phyllis Louise Burruss is running for a seat on the Greene County Board of Education, bringing with her a wealth of experience and a commitment to the educational needs of the community. A retired disabled veteran with over 30 years of service in the U.S. Navy, Army Reserves, and National Guard, Burruss has dedicated much of her life to public service and community involvement.

In her candidacy, Burruss highlights her background in career counseling, office management, and education. Currently, she serves as a youth teacher and advisor at her church in Greene County, alongside her previous role as a town commissioner for the City of Snow Hill. Her diverse experiences have prepared her to tackle the challenges facing the school system.

Burruss cites her work with local youth as a significant motivator for pursuing public office. “I have been inspired by working with the youth in our community and seeing the educational needs of our minority students,” she said. Her passion for education is evident as she discusses her goals for the school system, emphasizing the importance of safety and adequate funding. “I am also passionate about keeping our schools and community safe, adequate funding for our schools, safety in our schools and keeping democracy for all,” she added.

Facing challenges during her teenage years, Burruss recalls the difficulties of integrating Greene County Schools in the 1960s, where she encountered racial discrimination and hostility. Despite the obstacles, she learned resilience and forgiveness, which she believes are essential qualities for public service. “As a young teen growing up in the 60s, I volunteered to attend and integrate the Greene County Schools. Despite the daily harassment and abuse, I quickly forgave my harassers and learned to work with people of all races with no resentment,” she reflected.

Burruss identifies several pressing issues within the school system that she plans to prioritize if elected. She aims to address the student-teacher ratio by recruiting more qualified teachers and improving state test scores through research-based strategies in math and reading. She also recognizes the need for stronger parent-teacher relationships and suggests requiring more meetings to discuss student progress. “I would like to address the student-teacher ratio of our school system by recruiting more qualified teachers. I also would like to address the state test scores of our students and research how we can improve our math and reading scores,” she stated.

Transparency and accountability in decision-making are critical aspects of Burruss’s campaign. She emphasizes the importance of collaboration among board members, educators, parents, and the community. “I would like to work with all board members regardless of party, superintendent, the educators, students, parents, and community to provide educational excellence and safety for our children,” she explained.

To ensure diverse voices are heard, Burruss plans to actively engage with the community by attending board meetings and listening to concerns. “Attend board meetings, special meetings, and listen to the community and educators when they voice concerns about education in our community,” she urged.

Burruss also believes in the necessity of collaboration across party lines for effective governance. “I believe it's very important for all board members to always work together with respect for different opinions to provide the best possible educational experience for our schools and community,” she said.

Balancing short-term goals with long-term plans is another priority for Burruss. She emphasizes the need to understand desired outcomes while being flexible and open to new ideas. “In balancing short-term goals with long-term goals, it’s important to understand the ultimate outcome you would like to achieve,” she noted.

Additionally, Burruss envisions providing students with opportunities for intern training in skilled labor jobs that can lead to employment after graduation. “My visions and thoughts are to have students receive intern training in skilled labor jobs they can use after graduation, which will provide them jobs and provide needed labor in the community,” she said.

As the election approaches, Burruss is committed to advocating for the educational needs of Greene County. With her extensive background and dedication to public service, she aims to bring positive change to the school system. In her words, “I quickly forgave my harassers and learned to work with people of all races with no resentment.”

North Carolina will hold its general election on Nov. 5th with in-person early voting beginning on October 17th. Neuse News will live stream the 2024 Election Results on Facebook starting at 7:15 pm.