Date: Wed, 25 Aug 2010 19:12:35 -0500
From: Elizabeth M. Haddix
Subject: Elizabeth Haddix Withdraws from Chatham School Board Race
Although you may still see my name on the ballot this fall, I have withdrawn from the Chatham School Board election due to an exciting and very time consuming life change: I’ve accepted the Staff Attorney position at UNC School of Law’s Center for Civil Rights. This new position involves litigation and collaboration with community groups and organizations to ensure fair access to quality public education for all children.
The same commitment to progress which compelled me last Spring to run for one of the two open District Four seats on the Board calls me to the work I will be doing at the Center. I look forward to collaborating with the Board and Chatham County residents and organizations as we all move closer to our common goal: excellence in education and opportunity for all Chatham County’s children.
I support the work our current Board has done, and I admire the integrity and commitment to the public good demonstrated by its members. The only criticism I offer reflects on us all as a community: currently, there is not a single person of color on the board. A county as rich in diversity as Chatham should strive to reflect that diversity in all of its public offices: without it we risk missing vital information necessary to building a strong, safe and balanced society. I support Delcenia Turner for District Three in this race, and urge fellow Chatham citizens to support her as well. Ms. Turner’s experience, both in her life and work, and her demonstrated commitment to progress in our community will be a great asset to the Board and to Chatham County educators and administrators.
I hope that our county board of commissioners and school board will continue to collaborate to improve schools in Chatham County. By all accounts, this collaboration has been possible because of the people at the table. I endorse Commissioners Lucier, Thompson and Vanderbeck in their reelection races this November, and urge all Chatham voters to participate in this important step towards improving schools and opportunity in our county.
Elizabeth M. Haddix
Attorney at Law
P.O. Box 1785
Pittsboro, NC 27312
Tel. 919.542.9800