Kyle Ward

Kyle Ward

• Biography

  Kyle Ward is a lifelong Alamance County native and a career educator with 30 years of experience serving students, families, and the community through the Alamance-Burlington School System. He recently retired from Graham High School, where he served as a Physical Education and Health teacher, coach, and Athletic Director.

  Throughout his career, Kyle has worked directly with students, teachers, coaches, administrators, and families, giving him firsthand knowledge of the opportunities and challenges facing ABSS. His experience in education and school athletics has taught him the importance of accountability, communication, leadership, teamwork, and putting students first.

  Kyle is running for the ABSS Board of Education because he believes our schools need a practical and experienced voice. He is someone who will listen to educators and families, spend taxpayer dollars responsibly, support and retain exceptional teachers, develop leaders from within the district, and keep students and classrooms at the center of every decision.

  Kyle and his educator wife, Melissa, are proud to call Alamance County home. He is committed to serving the community he has spent his career supporting.

  kylewardboe@gmail.com

  Facebook Page: Ward for the Board

  Experience. Accountability. Students First.

• What motivated you to run for ABSS Board of Education?

  My decision to run for the ABSS Board of Education comes from 30 years of serving students, families, and educators and seeing firsthand both the strengths of our school system and the areas where we can do better.

  I have become increasingly concerned about how certain schools have been treated, particularly Graham High School, a school that has meant so much to me personally and professionally. Graham is a highly diverse school with significant economic challenges, and I believe it deserves equitable resources and support. My experience at Graham has shown me that equity does not mean every school receives the same resources; it means recognizing that different schools and students have different needs and ensuring they receive the support necessary to succeed.

  That experience has also shaped how I see ABSS as a whole. Graham has given me a lens to recognize the challenges faced by students and schools that may be marginalized or underserved, and I want to use that perspective to advocate for all students—not just those in Graham.

  I believe ABSS needs experienced, practical leadership that listens, demands accountability, spends taxpayer dollars responsibly, supports educators, and puts students and classrooms first. I care deeply about ABSS and want to help move our school system forward.

• What are your three highest priorities for the county school system?

  My three highest priorities for ABSS are students first, supporting our educators, and responsible leadership.

  1. Put Students and Classrooms First. Every decision should be made with the best interests of students in mind. We need to ensure our schools have the resources, support, and expectations necessary for every student to succeed.

  2. Recruit, Retain, and Value Great Educators. Our teachers and administrators are the foundation of a successful school system. ABSS must become more competitive in recruiting and retaining exceptional educators by strengthening teacher supplements and exploring targeted incentives for hard-to-fill positions and high-need schools

  3. Accountability and Responsible Budgeting. Taxpayers deserve transparency and accountability for how their money is spent. I will advocate for responsible budgeting, reducing wasteful spending, and making sure resources are directed toward classrooms, students, and the people who serve them every day.

  After 30 years as an ABSS educator, coach, and athletic director, I understand the challenges our schools face. I will bring practical experience, an educator’s perspective, and a commitment to listening to families, teachers, administrators, and our community.

• What strategies would you implement to ensure that all Alamance County students have access to a high-quality education that prepares them for their future?

  I believe every ABSS student deserves access to a high-quality education, regardless of the school they attend, their background, or their circumstances. We must understand the difference between equal and equitable. Higher-poverty and lower-performing schools may require additional resources and support. Resources should be allocated based on student and school needs, not simply divided equally.

  We must recruit and retain exceptional teachers and administrators by improving teacher supplements, supporting professional development, recognizing outstanding work, and developing leaders from within. Professional development should also be personalized. Teachers and administrators do not all need the same training or support, so we should identify individual needs and provide opportunities that help each educator grow.

  I would also support stronger partnerships between ABSS, local businesses, Alamance Community College, universities, and community organizations to expand career and technical education, internships, apprenticeships, college preparation, and other pathways that prepare students for life after graduation.

  Finally, we need high expectations, accountability, and early intervention. ABSS has systems in place, but they can be stronger. We should learn from schools and districts already demonstrating effectiveness, identify what works, and hold ourselves accountable for implementing those practices consistently while providing additional support to students who are struggling.

• How would you approach issues of budget, prioritization, and resource allocation?

  I would approach the ABSS budget with a simple principle: put students and classrooms first while being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars.

  Every expenditure should be evaluated based on its impact on student achievement, classroom instruction, and the people who directly serve our students. I would expect transparency in the budgeting process and clear explanations of why major expenditures are necessary.

  We must also take a hard look at administrative costs, duplication, inefficiencies, and spending that cannot demonstrate a meaningful benefit to students, schools, or essential district operations. Cutting waste does not mean cutting essential programs or services; it means making sure every dollar is being used wisely.

  I would prioritize recruiting and retaining quality teachers and administrators, strengthening teacher supplements, maintaining safe and effective schools, and providing students with the resources and opportunities they need to succeed.

  Having spent 30 years working within ABSS, I understand that budgets require difficult decisions and that not every need can be funded. Those decisions should be based on facts, student needs, and long-term priorities - not politics or personal agendas.

  Taxpayers deserve accountability, educators deserve support, and students deserve to be our highest priority.

• What is required for an effective relationship between the ABSS Board of Education and Alamance County Commissioners, and how will you work toward that as an elected official?

  An effective relationship between the ABSS Board of Education and Alamance County Commissioners must be built on trust, communication, mutual respect, transparency, and a shared commitment to our students and community.

  I believe we have an opportunity to move forward from the disagreements and challenges of the past and create a clean slate, particularly with new leadership in place. We may not always agree, but we should be able to disagree respectfully, communicate openly, and work together to find solutions.

  As an elected board member, I would make it a priority to build relationships with county commissioners and establish regular, meaningful communication about the school system’s needs, priorities, and financial responsibilities. I would come to those conversations prepared, informed, and willing to listen.

  Our community does not benefit when ABSS and the county government work against each other. We are ultimately serving the same families, students, and taxpayers. I would focus on finding common ground, building trust, and developing partnerships that strengthen our schools while being responsible stewards of public funds.

  It is time to put the past behind us, start with a clean slate, and work together to move Alamance County and ABSS forward.

• How will you ensure that the voice of students, families, and the broader community are heard in the decision-making related to the county school system?

  I believe an effective school board member must be willing to listen before making decisions. Students, families, educators, and community members should have opportunities to share their concerns, ideas, and experiences. They should know that their voices are being heard.

  As an elected official, I would make myself accessible by attending school and community events, meeting with families and educators, visiting schools, and creating opportunities for open and honest conversations. ABSS is a diverse school system, both economically and ethnically, and we must intentionally seek out the voices of students, families, and communities whose voices have historically been underrepresented in district decisions.

  My 30 years in ABSS, including working in a high-poverty school, along with my involvement in athletics and community sporting events, have allowed me to develop relationships with people throughout Alamance County.

  I also believe students should have a direct voice. I would support creating a diverse student advisory panel representing different schools, backgrounds, and experiences to regularly provide feedback and help the board understand the pulse of our schools.

  Listening does not mean simply agreeing. It means hearing different perspectives, considering the facts, and making decisions based on what is best for students and the community.

• How do you plan to address the long-term needs of the district, such as facilities maintenance, growth management, and future planning?

  Long-term planning requires ABSS to be proactive rather than reactive. We need a clear, comprehensive plan for maintaining our existing schools, managing growth, and preparing for the needs of future students.

  First, I would support a thorough assessment of the condition and needs of every ABSS facility, prioritizing safety, maintenance, and critical repairs before problems become more expensive. We should establish maintenance schedules and long-term capital plans so we are not continually addressing issues after they become emergencies.

  As Alamance County continues to grow, ABSS must work closely with Alamance County Commissioners, municipalities, developers, and other community partners to anticipate where student populations are increasing and ensure schools and transportation can keep pace. Growth should be strategic rather than reactive to schools becoming overcrowded.

  Finally, I believe future planning should be based on reliable data, responsible budgeting, and input from educators, families, and the community. Major investments should be evaluated for both their immediate need and long-term financial impact.

  After 30 years in ABSS, I understand that the decisions we make today will affect students and taxpayers for decades. My goal would be to plan ahead, maintain what we have, invest wisely, and ensure ABSS is prepared for the future.

• Please share a specific leadership experience that illustrates how you will be effective as a leader for Alamance County.

  The leadership experience that best illustrates how I will serve Alamance County comes from my years in athletic administration at Graham High School.

  One of my responsibilities as Athletic Director was ensuring equity between our girls’ and boys’ athletic programs and providing fair opportunities consistent with Title IX. That required looking beyond simply dividing resources equally. I had to consider the overall experience of our student-athletes, including facilities and practice schedules, equipment, uniforms, transportation, coaching resources, and opportunities to participate.

  At times, that meant having difficult conversations with coaches and making tough decisions when programs had competing needs. I learned to listen to different perspectives, communicate clearly, and make decisions based on what was fair for students.

  That experience reinforced an important leadership principle for me: fairness does not always mean giving everyone exactly the same thing. It means making sure every student has an equitable opportunity to succeed.

  As an ABSS Board member, I will bring that same approach: listen to different perspectives, communicate openly, make difficult decisions when necessary, and ensure resources and opportunities are provided fairly and responsibly.