Write-in candidates host education town hall meeting

Lenoir County School Board Write-In candidates Michelle Cash and Nancy Gilmore held an education town hall meeting at The Exchange in Kinston on Tuesday evening. The forum provided parents and teachers the opportunity to meet the candidates, ask questions, and voice concerns about the current state of Lenoir County Public Schools.

“We need someone on the Board of Education who puts the education of all students in Lenoir County first, and also someone who will be a voice for the exceptional children, for the educators, and for the parents,” said Gilmore.

The town hall was attended by parents and educators who shared their concerns with the Lenoir County School Board’s decision to have students learn remotely for the first nine weeks of the school year.

“I want my children along with every other child in Lenoir County to be safe, but we must draw the line somewhere. That is why we, as parents, were given a ‘choice’ or so we thought,” said Cash.

The two At-Large incumbents, Bruce Hill and Merwyn K. Smith voted for the current Lenoir County School reopening plan. As both of their terms end in November, Cash and Gilmore hope to have successful bids as Write-In candidates. Lenoir County School Board chairman Keith King and board member Billy Davis were in attendance joined by Commissioner J. Mac Daughety, Representative Chris Humphrey, and Senator Jim Perry.

“I am fired up and I will not stop until something changes. That may mean I am on the board or I am not, but I promise I will not stop fighting,” said Cash.

Cash and Gilmore held the event together and encouraged others to write both of their names on the ballot. There were sample ballots for the guests to understand how the write-in process works.

“We can do better for our students and we must,” said Gilmore.