Lenoir County Board of Education candidate Jonathan Britt discusses vision for schools
Jonathan Britt, a candidate for the Lenoir County Board of Education At-Large position, is focused on addressing pressing issues facing local schools. A resident of Lenoir County and a husband and father, Britt emphasizes the importance of parental involvement, transparency, and accountability within the educational system.
Britt serves as the finance chairman, worship leader, and elder at The Way Church in Kinston. He is also the Financial Planning & Analysis Manager for the Greenville Utilities Commission, where he holds a North Carolina Professional Engineering license and a Local Government Budget Officer certificate. His professional background in utility engineering and local government budgeting, combined with personal experience as a parent, drives his commitment to improving educational outcomes in Lenoir County.
In response to the challenges presented during the COVID-19 pandemic, Britt became increasingly concerned about the Board of Education's handling of school closures and mask mandates. He noted that many requests for meetings with Board members went unanswered, which motivated him to pursue a leadership role within the Board. "It became clear to me that change in leadership for our schools is desperately needed," he stated. He believes that this year's election provides Lenoir County voters an opportunity to build a team of representatives ready to make significant advancements for the community.
Britt identifies three pressing issues currently facing Lenoir County Public Schools. First, he highlights the 2023 North Carolina School Report Card, which designated Lenoir County as an NC Low Performing District, with 12 of 16 schools categorized as low performing. Britt emphasizes the need for transparency regarding areas of deficiency and believes that obtaining the necessary resources for school improvement is crucial. "Transparency about areas of deficiency is crucial for obtaining the necessary resources for improvement," he said.
Secondly, Britt expresses concern about teachers' insufficient authority to manage behavioral and safety issues in the classroom. He advocates for clearly communicated behavioral standards and consistent application of these expectations with support from administration. "Teachers’ insufficient authority to manage behavior and safety issues in the classroom must be addressed," he said.
Finally, he addresses the growing administrative burden placed on teachers, which he believes detracts from their teaching responsibilities and contributes to teacher attrition. He advocates for a review of current duties to identify opportunities for efficiency while placing an emphasis on parental engagement in supporting student performance. Britt plans to prioritize continuous monitoring and enhancement of campus safety measures as part of his strategy for improving school environments.
In terms of decision-making, Britt is committed to transparency and accountability. He pledges to comply with current Board meeting policies and North Carolina's open meetings law. Additionally, he supports the recently enacted NC Parents’ Bill of Rights, which enhances parents' access to information regarding their children's education. "Compliance with the law will only be as strong as the people entrusted to enforce it," he noted.
To engage with diverse community voices, Britt maintains accessibility through various communication channels, including phone, email, and social media. He believes that Board members should actively engage with students, parents, school staff, and other community members. "Board members should be willing to converse with all stakeholders," he emphasized.
Britt also recognizes the importance of collaboration across party lines and with various stakeholders. He plans to work with other Board members to develop prioritized goals for Lenoir County Public Schools. "Considering multiple perspectives in Board decisions should lead to solutions that benefit the broadest range of stakeholders," he stated.
As he prepares for the election, Britt remains focused on balancing short-term goals with long-term plans to ensure sustainable growth and development for the community. He plans to review current conditions and practices upon entering office while developing a list of goals throughout the onboarding process.
Britt concludes with a call for change within the Lenoir County Board of Education, stating, "We need our Board members to be accessible to stakeholders, encourage parent involvement, and lead with a service-oriented mindset. Please vote for Jonathan Britt and Shannan Harrison for Lenoir County Board of Education – At-Large to begin this new path forward."
North Carolina will hold its general election on Nov. 5th with in-person early voting beginning on October 17th. Neuse News will live stream the 2024 Election Results on Facebook starting at 7:15 pm.
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