I am Jonathan Britt, Treasurer for the Lenoir County Parents for In-Person Education PAC, writing to endorse write-in candidates Michelle Cash and Nancy Gilmore for the Lenoir County Board of Education.

The Lenoir County Parents for In-Person Education group was initially created in response to the July 27th decision of a Board majority that included both incumbent Board of Education candidates to vote-in their own unvetted, all-remote education plan for this school year.

The decision disregarded parent input and undermined the Superintendent and his team’s proposal for reopening schools. Lenoir County Parents for In-Person Education, now having nearly 600-members, (1) serves as a support forum for parents, caretakers, and teachers of Lenoir County students working to navigate through the extraordinary challenges of this school year, and (2) advocates children’s return to classrooms as a necessity for meeting their overall social, health, and educational needs. 

We recognize the diligence, passion, and intensity Mrs. Cash and Ms. Gilmore have exhibited over the last several months to become advocates for our children on the Board of Education. Both being parents of current students, they have first-hand experience with the current school plan and are prepared to help define the path forward to what will be the new normal for Lenoir County’s public education. They recognize the talent of our Superintendent and his team and are committed to supporting their fight for the betterment of our schools and community.

Mrs. Cash is a Lenoir County native who has long observed the educational conditions in our community and clearly recognizes improvement opportunities. Ms. Gilmore is an educator who has taught in Lenoir and other counties, possessing experience with a variety of educational approaches and the discernment to propose the most successful strategies here for our students. Both understand the need to collaborate with other Board members, the administration, teachers, and parents for ensuring children are given the best opportunity to succeed. 

We invest significantly in our children’s education and part of that investment is in who we choose to represent us on the Board of Education. We need leaders who can maintain a proper perspective in addressing the common and uncommon challenges of delivering effective education while meeting the social and health needs of students. Michelle Cash and Nancy Gilmore are up for the challenge. We just have to write-in their names and fill-in the circles in the Board of Education box on this election’s ballots. 

Jonathan Britt

Parent of two Lenoir County Public Schools students 
Lenoir County Parents for In-Person Education PAC Treasurer