William Earl Purvis said he is promoting a “vision for transformation” in his bid for a seat on the Vance County Board of Education. Purvis faces incumbent and fellow Democrat Linda Cobb for the District 5 seat.
Henderson voters may remember his name from his unsuccessful bid for City Council in 2022; Purvis said his experience as an educator in a neighboring county, his background as a pastor and his training as a licensed clinician all serve to make him the right person for the job.
“I’ve talked to many parents, students and teachers,” he told WIZS News on a segment of TownTalk that aired Wednesday. “They want a voice,” and he said he would work to collaborate with the community to shape the board’s decisions.
Purvis said he’d like to have quarterly “town hall type” meetings to share with the community what’s going on in the school system.
The school system does a good job collaborating with the community now, he said. “It’s my job (to) take that even further and enhance it with all our students.”
He said his work as a clinician, pastor and educator all serve to make him an advocate for children and for school system employees.
“We’re all in this together to build a successful school system,” he said, adding that he would work to improve low-performing schools and would support all staff – teachers, administrators, custodians – to effect change.
He said he would work to promote school safety, mental health services, programs for parents and appropriate and fair building codes if he’s elected to the school board.
He’d also like to find ways to recognize students for successes that aren’t limited to academics or athletics.
“We need to recognize our kids with disabilities,” he said. “I have a spirit to advocate for the children.”
His platform is not focused on one district; rather, he is interested in what’s going on in all schools.
“I plan to lift up the school system,” he said. “If I’m elected, you will not be disappointed.”
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