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Advocacy is at the heart of PTA’s mission. If you're interested in making a positive difference in the education, health and well-being of children, be a public school advocate! Join advocacy@connpta.org to voice your concerns on issues like school funding, teacher pay, child health, and equity. Contact Michelle at advocacy@connpta.org to raise your voice!
C✔️NN COUNTS 2026
C✔️NN COUNTS 2026
Our North Carolina children are counting on YOU to vote in the November 3, 2026 elections!
Find your voter registration and sample ballot on the NC State Board of Elections website: https://www.ncsbe.gov/voting/sample-ballot
On September 16, 2026, the Conn Elementary PTA Board adopted resolutions for three decisions that will be on Wake County, North Carolina voters' ballots on November 3, 2026:
WAKE COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD of education ELECTIONS on NOV. 3, 2026
WAKE COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD of education ELECTIONS on NOV. 3, 2026
If you live in Wake County Public Schools Districts 1, 2, 7, or 9 (i.e. you're a magnet family at Conn ES), you might see Wake County School Board Members, representing your base schools, on your ballot. Be sure to look up your sample ballot and research the candidates running for Wake County School Board of Education. Here is an interactive map of where the WCPSS districts are drawn based on your home address.
Conn Elementary is in WCPSS District 4, represented by Ms. Toshiba Rice who was voted into office in 2024 and will finish her 4-year term in 2028.
Advocacy 101 RESOURCES
Advocacy 101 RESOURCES
WCPSS School Board Commenting Guide
NC School Funding 101 - Guide from Save our Schools NC
North Carolina state government 101 - PDF from EdNC for advocates
Every Child NC Advocacy Toolkit - English and Spanish guides on the Leandro Plan, public education policy, and public education elections. Guías en inglés y español sobre el Plan Leandro, política de educación pública y elecciones de educación pública.
Private School Voucher Toolkit - Comprehensive resources from Public Schools First NC
NC Child Advocacy Toolkit - Details the difference between advocacy and lobbying; includes tips for community-based, legislative, and digital advocacy; and shares the perspectives of child advocates and state legislators.
Understanding Legislative Advocacy for Children in North Carolina: A Guide to the General Assembly (NC Child)
district-wide advocacy
district-wide advocacy
Board Advisory Council (BAC) Meeting Dates for 2026-2027:
Monday, October 19, 2026
Monday, December 14, 2026 *Hosted by Conn Elementary!
Monday, February 22, 2027
Monday, April 19, 2027
All meetings will be held from 6:00–8:00 PM.
Board Advisory Council (BAC) Contacts:
Chairman: Dr. Jarvis Bailey, Ed.D., jjlbailey@gmail.com
Secretary: Shirnetta, helloshirnetta@gmail.com
School Board Member, Representative for District 4: Toshiba Rice, trice@wcpss.net
WHO'S DOING THE WORK AT CONN?
WHO'S DOING THE WORK AT CONN?
SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLAN
SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLAN
Every WCPSS school is required to carry out a school improvement plan (SIP). According to WCPSS, "the purpose of SIP is to improve achievement and outcomes for every student by working to eliminate the ability to predict achievement based on socioeconomic status, race, and ethnicity. Every WCPSS school is charged with collaboratively and continuously analyzing data and making decisions considering the unique needs of the learning community and the district's strategic plan."
In other words, this is a school-run program; it is not affiliated with PTA. However, PTA does sometimes help recruit parent representatives.
If you would like to get involved, please reach out to Principal Corey at jcorey@wcpss.net or Assistant Principal Michael Warholik@wcpss.net.
To view Conn's school improvement plan and learn more, use the credentials found in the right hand column on the Conn's SIP webpage.
To learn more about School Improvement Plans, please read the WCPSS' Policy Code: 3430 School Improvement Plan.
TOSHIBA RICE, School Board District 4 Rep
TOSHIBA RICE, School Board District 4 Rep
Conn ES is in WCPSS District 4 which has been represented by Ms. Toshiba Rice since Feb. 2024. Ms. Rice is one of nine school board members currently elected to serve on the Wake County Board of Education, the local governing body of the Wake County Public School System (WCPSS).
The school board consists of nine representatives who collectively set policy for the school system implemented by WCPSS Superintendent Dr. Robert P. Taylor and administrative staff. Current policy debates include:
pending policy regarding school-issued devices such as Chromebooks and cell phones (or any communication device such as a smart watch) in the classroom
teacher pay, driver shortages, student transportation
As our WCPSS rep, Ms. Rice wants to hear from parents, students, and the community about your school experience (the good, the bad, and the ugly) in Wake County. Ways to engage:
Email (trice@wcpss.net)
Attend and speak at bimonthly WCPSS school board meetings (see details above)
Attend district 4 Board Advisory Council (BAC) meetings that consists of citizen members, school administrators and other staff to provide feedback and consultation by to Ms. Rice (see details above)
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