NCSD has new board operating separately from DPI

House Bill 11 set the stage in spring 2023 for the North Carolina School for the Deaf to be governed by a board independent of the state Department of Public Instruction. The wide-ranging Senate Bill 382, ratified in December, provided the operational funding needed for the change.

Who sits on this board, which provides direction for the school, including naming the eventual director who will replace the retiring Mark Patrick?

The board’s chair, Sandy Turner, was appointed by the North Carolina House of Representatives. Turner, a Maiden native and Appalachian State University alumna, worked at NCSD from 1973 until her retirement in 2001.

During her tenure, she coached middle and high school girls’ basketball and established the school’s girls’ volleyball program, leading teams to national championships. Following her retirement, Turner served on the NCSD Foundation Board for 14 years and currently sits on the Alder Springs Communities Board of Directors.

Jimmy Autrey, appointed by the North Carolina Board of Education, is an alumnus with deep ties to the school. Born to deaf parents who also attended NCSD, Autrey has spent decades preserving the school’s history. In 1977, he founded the NCSD Historical Museum to ensure future generations understand their cultural and educational legacy.

“Many young deaf students don’t know the history of this school or their community,” Autrey said. “The museum is a way to connect them to their roots and inspire them to achieve.”

Dr. Mary “Tammy” Weiner, appointed by the N.C. Senate, serves as a voting member and was elected as the board’s vice chair. A 1977 graduate of NCSD, Weiner is a retired professor and administrator from Gallaudet University’s Department of Psychology. She holds degrees in psychology from Lenoir-Rhyne College and Gallaudet University, and she earned her doctorate in human development from the University of Maryland. In retirement, Dr. Weiner actively serves on the International Converge Ministries Deaf Catalyst Team, blending her faith and expertise to reach the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing communities.

Yvonne “Mickie” White, a retired NCSD educator, was appointed by the N.C. Senate as a voting member. A Boone native, and Alumna of Appalachian State University, White received the opportunity to teach at NCSD. Despite being unfamiliar with the school’s community nor fluent in ASL (American Sign Language), White quickly fell in love with her students and developed a passion for deaf education.

After retiring, she continues to support the NCSD Foundation Board as its current vice president and she also volunteers as a literacy tutor at Forest Hill Elementary School in Morganton.

Wallace Saunders, appointed by the N.C. Senate, also serves as a voting member. A Morganton native and child of deaf adults (CODA), Sanders’ parents dedicated their lives to serving the deaf and hard-of-hearing communities in Morganton. His mother Martha, taught at NCSD and devoted 25 years of her life to deaf education at the school. Sanders’ professional background consists of nearly 30 years in finance and executive leadership, including 20 years in banking and seven years in the health care industry as a chief financial officer. Wallace previously served on the boards of directors for the Charlotte Speech and Hearing Center and Alder Springs.

Rey Castillo, appointed as a non-voting board member by the NCSD Alumni Association, is a child of deaf parents who spent most of his educational years enrolled at the school. A recent graduate of Gallaudet University’s Sign Language Education M.A., Costello has taught ASL at Blue Ridge Community College since 2020. As past-president of the NCSD Alumni Association, he remains heavily involved in preserving the school’s legacy.

Dr. Candice M. Tate, appointed as a non-voting member by the state Department of Health and Human Services, is a clinical psychologist with advanced ASL fluency. Tate has dedicated her career to supporting deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals in private practice and public policy notably as State Director of Mental Health for Deaf Populations in Georgia and Program Director for Deaf Services at Broughton Hospital in North Carolina. She continues to provide mental health services locally and via telehealth.

Turner noted that every board member has a personal connection to NCSD and is fluent in American Sign Language.

“That shared experience and dedication make our board uniquely equipped to address the school’s needs,” she said.

One of the board’s top priorities is addressing declining enrollment, a trend that began with the implementation of federal Public Law 94-142 in the 1970s, which required public schools to provide for students with disabilities. Turner explained that many deaf children start in public schools, often missing crucial early language development.

“By the time they come to NCSD, they’re years behind in language skills,” Turner said. “We’re focused on changing that by reaching parents earlier and emphasizing the unique resources our school provides.”

Both Turner and Autrey stressed the importance of preserving NCSD’s cultural and educational legacy while adapting to modern needs. Autrey reflected on the impact of role models during his time as a student and the need to provide similar examples for today’s youth.

“Deaf students can do anything hearing people can do—except hear,” Autrey said. “Our job is to ensure they have every opportunity to succeed.”

The board’s vision extends beyond the classroom. They aim to strengthen NCSD’s ties to the Morganton community and increase involvement from alumni and local businesses. Turner highlighted the role of the NCSD Foundation, which now provides scholarships, funds field trips, and supports staff development.

“Our foundation is growing, and with it, so are the opportunities for our students,” Turner said.

“We may not have the numbers we did in the past,” Turner said, “but our mission is as strong as ever. Together, we can ensure NCSD continues to be a place where students thrive.”