A desire to contribute directly to local public education and foster stronger civic ties has prompted Cathe Myers to enter the race for the Waynesboro School Board. Myers is seeking election to the open Ward D seat, presenting herself as an engaged community member committed to addressing the evolving challenges facing both students and classroom instructors.
The contest represents a pivotal choice for local residents, as voters in Ward D will decide between two candidates seeking to represent the district on the ballot. With early voting scheduled to commence on Friday, Sept. 18, ahead of the general Election Day on Nov. 3, candidates are making their final appeals to voters across the city.
Myers’ path toward seeking elected office began in late spring, following an informal conversation with a friend at the end of May. When asked whether she had ever considered running for a seat on the school board, the idea resonated with her, despite having never previously sought political office. Reflecting on her deep personal commitment to learning and her family’s multi-generational background in education, she decided to step forward and launch her campaign.
To secure her placement on the ballot, Myers spent significant time traversing local neighborhoods to gather the necessary petition signatures. This grassroots effort allowed her to interact directly with constituents in Ward D, gathering firsthand accounts of their expectations and concerns regarding local schools. Those neighborhood conversations have subsequently helped shape the key priorities and talking points of her platform.
Among Myers’ central concerns is the modern atmosphere surrounding youth development. She has observed that contemporary students face immense societal pressures, often being required to mature at a significantly faster pace than previous generations. In describing the issue, she noted that children are frequently expected to behave as instant adults, a trend she views as an unintended consequence of modern societal shifts.
Closely tied to that pressure is the pervasive role of digital devices in daily life. Myers has voiced deep reservations regarding the extensive amount of technology accessible to young people, noting that excessive screen time is visibly influencing children’s behavior, classroom conduct, and overall development.
These observations stem in part from her own personal experiences with her grandchildren. Observing their growing attachment to digital devices, Myers instituted a household rule requiring both adults and children to stow their phones during large family gatherings. She warns that declining attention spans among children represent an urgent reality that the school board must directly confront in the coming years.
Myers brings a varied personal and professional background to her candidacy. Raised in Ticonderoga, New York, she spent her senior year of high school living in Panama as an exchange student. Following her return, she explored college coursework before choosing a different vocational path by enlisting in the United States Navy.
During her four-year military tenure, Myers performed primarily clerical responsibilities, achieving a historic milestone as one of the first women assigned to an East Coast submarine squadron. While serving in the Navy, she met her husband, and she subsequently concluded her military service to focus on raising their family.
As a mother, Myers dedicated herself to active involvement in her children’s academic journey, drawing inspiration from her own parents, who had maintained an active presence in her schooling. She emphasized that serving as an engaged parental role model is a fundamental duty. Once her youngest daughter entered the fifth grade, Myers reentered the civilian workforce, serving as an office manager for a nursery.
Myers has structured her campaign platform around three central pillars: transparency, academic excellence, and community partnership. To illustrate her cooperative vision, she employs the metaphor of rhythmic tapping, suggesting that when teachers, parents, and school board members work in unison, the resulting outcome creates a single, harmonious voice dedicated to student achievement.
The upcoming election arrives at a critical juncture for the school district, which is preparing for a major leadership transition. Longtime Superintendent Jeffrey Cassell is scheduled to retire on Dec. 31, and the current school board is reviewing applicant credentials before conducting candidate interviews in October. The newly seated board will welcome a new administrative leader when taking office in January.
Myers views the arrival of a new superintendent as a welcome opportunity to inject innovative thinking and fresh perspectives into the school division. She expressed hope that both newly elected members and continuing board officials will embrace the transition as a chance to explore new strategic directions, setting a constructive example for the community regarding how to navigate institutional change.
Addressing workforce challenges within the division is another priority for Myers, particularly regarding teacher recruitment and retention. While acknowledging that increased financial compensation is the most commonly proposed solution, she contends that resolving educator shortages requires a more comprehensive approach. Myers plans to engage directly with educators across all career stages—from first-year teachers to veterans with five or twenty years of service—to identify what institutional practices are working effectively and what needs reform.
As the campaign enters its final stretch leading toward Election Day, Myers maintains an open-minded attitude toward the responsibilities of school governance. While acknowledging that school board leadership represents a new arena for her, she affirms that her primary motivation remains a genuine desire to serve as a proactive, involved citizen dedicated to the betterment of her community’s schools.
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