Cathe Myers has officially launched her bid for a seat on the Waynesboro School Board, entering the race to represent Ward D as voters prepare to head to the polls. The local contest is one of two races highlighting the candidates competing for the open ward position, giving area residents a direct choice on the ballot. Early voting for the election begins on Friday, Sept. 18, leading up to the final vote on Election Day, Nov. 3.
Myers' decision to enter municipal politics developed rapidly near the end of May following a casual conversation with a close friend. During that discussion, her friend asked whether she had ever thought about running for a school board seat. While public office had not previously been on her radar, the question prompted Myers to reflect seriously on her potential contributions to the local education system.
Her motivation to step forward stems from a deep personal background in educational values. Myers noted that she has a genuine love for children and has long stood as an advocate for education, following the example set by her father. With educators among her family members, she felt a natural pull toward the school system and decided to commit to the campaign.
To secure her place on the official election ballot, Myers walked neighborhood streets to collect the required voter signatures in person. That door-to-door effort provided an early opportunity to connect with local residents across Ward D. Through those conversations, she listened to varied perspectives, concerns, and ideas regarding what the school system needs, using that community feedback to help shape her primary platform.
Among her central concerns is the heightened level of societal pressure currently placed on young students. Myers has observed that modern children are increasingly pushed into becoming what she describes as "instant adults," facing expectations to mature significantly faster than previous generations did. She emphasized that this trend is not the fault of any single group, but rather a consequence of broader cultural shifts and societal progression.
A significant element of this pressure, according to Myers, is the expanding role of technology in children's everyday lives. She expressed particular concern regarding the amount of screen time young people are exposed to, pointing out that its effects are becoming visible in student behavior. She also warned of shrinking attention spans among youth, noting that managing the impact of digital devices is a critical challenge the school board must confront in the years ahead.
Myers applies these same concerns within her private family life, having witnessed an increasing reliance on digital devices among her own grandchildren. To counteract this habit, she enforces a strict rule during large family gatherings: all family members, both adults and children alike, are required to put their phones away so they can engage directly with one another without digital distractions.
Myers' personal path before running for local office spans a wide array of life experiences. She was raised in Ticonderoga, New York, and broadened her horizons during her senior year of high school by living as an exchange student in Panama. Upon returning to the United States, she attended several college courses before determining that a traditional collegiate environment was not the right fit for her goals, leading her to enlist in the United States Navy.
During her four years in the military, Myers handled primarily clerical assignments and achieved a notable milestone by serving as one of the very first women assigned to an East Coast submarine squadron. While in the service, she also met the man who would become her husband, concluding her active military duty at the end of her four-year enlistment.
Following her military service, Myers dedicated herself to raising her children and participating actively in their schooling. She deliberately modeled her hands-on parenting approach after her own parents, who maintained strong involvement in their children's schools. Myers stated that being an engaged role model is a fundamental parental duty. Once her youngest daughter entered the fifth grade, Myers re-entered the workforce outside the home, taking on a role as an office manager for a nursery.
If chosen by Ward D voters to serve on the school board, Myers intends to focus her tenure around three foundational principles: transparency, academic excellence, and community partnership. Emphasizing the value of collective cooperation, she compared the ideal school district to individuals tapping in rhythm to create a single sound, urging the board, educators, and parents to partner closely to achieve the best outcomes for students.
Her potential term would begin amid significant leadership changes within the division. Longtime Superintendent Jeffrey Cassell is scheduled to retire on Dec. 31, prompting the current board to accept applications for the role and schedule candidate interviews for October. Consequently, an entirely new superintendent will be in place when the newly configured school board takes office in January.
Myers views this upcoming administrative transition as an energizing opportunity for the school district. She expressed optimism that the arrival of a new superintendent, combined with new and returning board members, will encourage the investigation of fresh concepts, diverse perspectives, and potential new directions. She hopes the board can set an example for the wider community on how to navigate institutional change constructively.
Addressing workforce challenges within the school system, Myers noted that retaining and hiring quality teachers requires more than simple compensation adjustments. While acknowledging that higher pay is the most common suggestion, she advocates for a more comprehensive approach. Myers plans to actively consult with educators across all career stages—from first-year teachers to those with five or twenty years in Waynesboro—to evaluate what policies are succeeding and what needs improvement.
As the campaign heads toward the November vote, Myers maintains an open and modest outlook regarding the responsibilities of public office. Acknowledging that the political arena is completely new territory for her, she emphasized that she remains eager to learn while fulfilling her desire to serve as an involved and constructive citizen within her community.
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