Cashlie White was unanimously appointed to the Newcastle School Board seat #5 during a special meeting April 14, and she said she sees the excitement in the administrators and it makes her excited.
White, a graduate of Newcastle High School and the owner of Cashlie Joy Photography, applied for the school board seat after the announcement that former board member Jeremy Gilbertson had moved out of the district he was serving and would have to give up his seat.
White said she and Gilbertson are neighbors and she was sad to see him go.
She said, “It has been great to see all the work that he had done before me. There were end-of-year celebrations and people who came to the board meetings and were recognized for their efforts.”
White has now served the April meeting, two meetings in May, and they are having two meetings in June. She said she plans to attend her continuing education in August.
White said, “Serving on the Newcastle School Board has honestly been such a blessing. Growing up here and now raising my own family here, it means so much to have the opportunity to give back to the community that gave so much to me.”
She said Newcastle runs deep in her family.
“I’m a Newcastle graduate, my husband is a Newcastle graduate, and my father-inlaw is a Newcastle graduate as well,” White said. “Now our own children attend Newcastle schools, making them third-generation Racers. Newcastle isn’t just where we live — it’s part of our family’s story, and we’re incredibly proud of that legacy.”
White said her family has always believed in investing in the community.
“In addition to serving on the school board, I’m a member of the football booster club, and the middle school PTO,” she said. “I’m on the board of the Newcastle Education Foundation Board. I’m also one of the middle school football meal moms.
“We support the Newcastle Powerlifting team, and our family are all active members of First Baptist Church. Serving our community is simply who I am.”
White said her faith plays a big role in her life.
“I truly believe God has His hand on Newcastle. There have been so many moments where I’ve thought, ‘This is exactly where God wants me to be in this season of life.’ I don’t think any of this is by accident. It’s been a privilege to serve, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to be part of something bigger than myself.”
She said one of her biggest impressions of service with the school board so far has been the care exuded by the administration and board.
“One thing that has impressed me the most since joining the board is the people. We have such a great board and administration who genuinely care about kids and have an incredible vision for both the students we serve today and the future of our district,” White said. “Newcastle is growing, and I love that we’re embracing that growth while still holding onto the values that make this community so special.”
She also believes the board and administration have already accomplished big things and they plan for more in the future.
“Because I came onto the board later, I’ve had the unique opportunity to step in and see so many great things that had already been accomplished,” White said. “It’s been exciting to witness the momentum our district has and the thoughtful planning that’s happening to prepare for the future.
And honestly, the culture in our schools is something special. You can feel it in every building.”
She said that culture shows in the administrators and faculty, the staff and students.
“There is a culture of excellence, care, and pride that is truly amazing to watch. Seeing the relationships being built and the way our people pour into students every day makes me incredibly proud and excited to be a Racer,” White said.
Currently, the board and administrators are focusing on the planned August Bond Issue.
White said it has been a privilege to not only see and make decisions on the Bond Issue, but also to help provide a better plan to roll it out to the community.
“As we look toward the bond election in August, we’re working hard to make sure our community is educated and informed about what the bond is, what it’s for, and how it will impact our students and community,” White said. “My hope is simply that people have the information they need to make the best decision for Newcastle’s future.”
White said that information will be coming out starting today (Thursday) and continuing until election day. Meanwhile, she takes great pride in her service and in the community.
She said, “At the end of the day, I’m just grateful — grateful for the opportunity to serve, grateful for the people I serve alongside, and grateful that God has allowed me to be part of this season in Newcastle.
“The future is bright, and I can’t wait to see what’s ahead for our students and our community. Once a Racer, always a Racer.”
