Students First. Strong Schools. Bright Futures.
The Ward Initiative is built on two commitments: educational programs that reach the classroom, and funding decisions any family in Cumberland County can read and verify. School board is a nonpartisan office, and this campaign runs that way.
students enrolled
schools district-wide
largest district in NC
military-connected students
Source: Cumberland County Schools District Profile, 2025-26 school year.
Karelle Ward — candidate for the Cumberland County Board of Education.
The Ward Initiative
Cumberland County's four-year cohort graduation rate reached 86.3% in 2024-25, with more than 3,700 seniors graduating across 17 ceremonies. Protect what is working and close the remaining reading and math proficiency gaps school by school.
Cumberland County Schools is one of the county's largest employers, second only to the military. Retention means protected planning time, mentorship for new teachers, and clear pathways toward National Board certification.
Across 86 schools serving 48,434 students, families, Fort Bragg leadership, faith communities, and local employers all belong at the table when decisions are made.
Safe buildings, safe routes, and steady support for students in transition. Facility and safety spending should be published project by project.
Where the money comes from
Cumberland County Schools operates on $673,008,301, or $13,898.24 per pupil. Knowing which share of that comes from where determines where a board member can actually make a difference.
Source: Cumberland County Schools District Profile, 2025-26 school year.
28% of our students — 15,413 children — are military or federally connected. Every federal dollar tied to that status should be claimed, tracked, and reported publicly.
State dollars are 58.2% of the budget. Board members should testify for full funding of low-wealth, EC, and ESL allotments rather than waiting on the outcome.
Competitive literacy, STEM, career-pathway, and facilities grants are routinely left unclaimed. Staff the pursuit and report the win rate each year.
Any school bond or capital request arrives with a school-by-school project list, a cost per household, and an independent citizen oversight committee.
Fayetteville Technical Community College, Fayetteville State, and local employers can fund apprenticeships and dual enrollment without influencing curriculum or hiring.
Per-pupil expenditure is $13,898.24. Families deserve a plain-language report of how much of that reaches the classroom.
Get involved
Every question submitted receives a written or verbal answer. Parents, teachers, staff, and students across all 86 schools are welcome to write.