Get to know Cabarrus County Board of Education Republican Candidate Amanda Wortman

A mother of five and public safety professional, Wortman emphasizes alternative learning pathways, student engagement and stronger communication with families.

Amanda Wortman. Photo courtesy of Amanda Wortman.

Amanda Wortman is one of five Republicans running in the primary for three seats on the Cabarrus County Schools Board of Education. Here are her answers to questions from The Cabarrus Compass.

1. Please tell us about your background and your connection to Cabarrus County Schools. Do you currently have, or have you previously had, children enrolled in the district?

I have lived in Cabarrus County for more than 20 years. I am a wife and mother of five, with children currently attending Cabarrus County Schools. As both a parent and advocate, I have seen firsthand how traditional and alternative programs can help students with different needs and learning styles.

I am an Executive Assistant at our family’s commercial electrical business, handling administration, budgeting, and compliance. In addition, I am a paramedic and graduated from the Public Safety Leadership Institute at CPCC. I also have several FEMA certifications. I serve on the Superintendent’s Parent Advisory Committee, where I help gather parent feedback and share concerns with district leaders.

2. What motivated you to run for the Cabarrus County Schools Board of Education, and do you have any prior experience in elected office or public service?

Every child in Cabarrus deserves a pathway to thrive, which drives my commitment to strong schools through steady leadership, openness, and active community involvement. As a parent, I have seen how board decisions affect classrooms, teachers, and families. I want to speak up for student-centered solutions based on real experiences, not just policies.

While I have not held elected office, I have extensive public service experience through my work as a paramedic and my ongoing involvement in school and community leadership roles.

3. What qualifications, skills, or experiences best prepare you to serve as a school board member?

My experience includes leadership, public safety, administration, and parenting. As a paramedic, I am trained to assess situations quickly, stay calm under pressure, and make good decisions. Working in commercial construction has also taught me about budgeting, coordination, and managing operations.

Managing these roles while raising five children has improved my communication, adaptability, and planning. Skills that are important for serving on the school board.

4. Is there a specific issue or set of concerns within public education that most motivates you to seek a seat on the Board of Education?

I am motivated by helping students stay engaged and giving them access to meaningful educational paths. A single approach does not fit every student, and when students lose interest, we risk losing them altogether. We need to expand alternative education, career and technical programs, and hands-on learning to help students succeed.

I also want to improve support for our Exceptional Children (EC) department, make sure teachers are included and heard before new policies are made, and strengthen school safety. Supporting educators and staff is key to creating safe and successful schools for everyone.

5. How do you define equity and inclusivity in public education, and what steps would you support to ensure all students have the opportunity to succeed?

Equity means making sure every student receives the resources and support they need to succeed, while still having expectations. Inclusivity means understanding that students have different learning styles, backgrounds, and challenges, and making sure our system can adapt to those needs.

I support focused academic support, mental health resources, alternative learning pathways, and career readiness programs so every student has a fair chance to succeed.

6. What role should parents play in decision-making at the school and district level, and how would you work to improve communication and trust between families and Cabarrus County Schools?

Parents are essential partners in education. Their input should be included early in the decision-making process, not after decisions are finalized.

As a board member, I would work to improve transparency, expand opportunities for parent input, and remain accessible by meeting directly with families, teachers, and staff throughout the district.

7. In your view, what are the most significant issues currently impacting students and parents in Cabarrus County Schools, and why?

Main challenges include student disengagement, staffing shortages, mental health needs, and gaps in communication between families and the district. Parents want reassurance that their concerns are listened to and addressed, and educators need meaningful support to do their jobs effectively.

To solve these problems, we need to work together, be accountable, and focus on solutions the board can actually provide.

8. If you could make one immediate change within the school system, what would it be and what impact would you expect it to have?

I would focus on building and expanding alternative learning options for students who have trouble in regular classrooms. Flexible schedules, hands-on learning, and clearer graduation paths can help keep students interested and lower dropout rates.

This approach helps students, families, and teachers by creating environments where students can succeed instead of feeling frustrated.

9. How would you approach balancing academic performance, student well-being, and fiscal responsibility when making decisions as a school board member?

Academic success, student well-being, and fiscal responsibility all go hand in hand. Students do better when they feel safe and supported, and teachers need the right tools to teach. Good financial planning is needed to keep these efforts going over time.

As a board member, I would focus on investments that directly support classrooms, educators, student mental health, and school safety. I would also advocate at both the county and state levels for appropriate funding and against unfunded mandates, ensuring Cabarrus County Schools have the resources needed to serve students effectively.

10. School board members often face disagreements on policy and priorities. How would you approach conflict resolution and collaboration among board members?

Disagreements will happen, but respectful conversations are important. When there is conflict, I listen first, look for common ground, and focus on finding solutions instead of blaming people.

Working in team settings under pressure has shown me how important professionalism, respect, and shared goals are when making decisions.

11. Individual board members have no independent authority, as decisions are made collectively. What personal traits or skills would allow you to contribute effectively to the board as a whole?

I know that board members work as a team and that good leadership means communicating and respecting the group process. I bring a calm, steady approach, good listening skills, and a willingness to work through different views while always putting students first.

I believe in being prepared, involved, and easy to reach. This means working outside of meetings, listening to parents, teachers, and staff, and being present in our schools and community.

My training in public safety and leadership has taught me to value accountability, professionalism, and focusing on solutions rather than disagreement. These qualities allow me to contribute thoughtfully and work productively as part of a team.

12. After your first full year in office, what benchmarks or outcomes would you point to as evidence that you have made a meaningful impact?

After my first year, I would look for progress in growing alternative learning options, better support for Exceptional Children, improved student mental health, and stronger safety and classroom resources. These are areas where the board can make a real difference for students and staff.

I would also want to see better communication and trust between the district, families, and teachers. This means more chances for parents and teachers to give feedback and clearer updates about board decisions. Real impact means students get better support, teachers feel valued, and families trust the direction of Cabarrus County Schools.