Lenoir County school board member running opposed for first time in general election. Here are the candidates
School board elections normally have some highly contested outcomes as parents and voters voice their opinions on what they think is best for public school students. In Lenoir County, one seat on the board of education will come down to two candidates, one of whom has not run opposed in a November election.
Current Lenoir County Board of Education Member W.D. Anderson (D) is set to square off against Republican candidate Jonathan Britt to represent District 5.
Britt, 41, is a professional engineer and financial planning and analysis manager, married with a son and daughter in grade school. He graduated from North Carolina State University with a Bachelor of Science in Biological Engineering.
Anderson was re-elected in 2018 and ran unopposed in the November general election. He also ran unopposed in 2014.
With election day just around the corner and early voting set to begin on Oct. 20, the Kinston Free Press sent questionnaires to candidates running in contested races to find out their views on issues that matter to them the most. Anderson did not respond by deadline. Below are Britt's answers.
Best Way for Voters to contact you?
Britt: britt4boe@gmail.com
What experience do you have that makes you a good candidate?
Britt: As a parent of two current students and the husband of a teacher, I fully understand the consequences of board decisions. My professional experience in utility engineering, management consulting and local government budgeting, financial and capital planning will be valuable for supporting strategic policy, operational, personnel, and other resource planning decisions required of me as a Board member. Since 2020, I’ve advocated for increased parental involvement in education and encouraged the LCPS Board to recognize parent’s authority over their children’s health and education. Lastly, I’m in the community from commenting at board meetings to coaching little league baseball.
What do you read to stay informed on issues?
Britt: Education is influenced at the local, state, and federal levels so it’s important to follow activities at all three. Locally, I follow Lenoir County Public Schools Board meetings and documentation, local newspapers, and attend school activities. I also established the Lenoir County Parents for Successful Education Facebook group that provides a forum for LCPS community members to share concerns and successes. At the State level, Education NC and the NC Dept of Public Instruction are helpful resources. I’m also in contact with local state representatives on specific education issues. The Family Research Council and the U.S. Dept. of Education are useful federal resources.
If elected, what would you do to stay transparent as an elected official?
Britt: The issue of transparency was highlighted as a significant concern for many LCPS parents during the pandemic as requests for calls, emails and meetings were met predominately with either no response or even admonishment from multiple LCPS board members. The role of a board member is one of service which includes being accessible and responsive to represented community members. Since 2020, I have facilitated open communication among the LCPS community and have served as a conduit for teachers to share their concerns with board members privately.
What do you think is the most important issue for the seat you are running for, how do you want to resolve it? How has current leadership addressed the issue?
Britt: The board’s most significant duty is to provide every student with the opportunity to receive a sound basic education and as shown in the recent NC Dept. of Public Instruction’s 2021-22 Annual Testing Report, student performance was significantly impacted by school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic. To support recovery the board will need to define post-COVID. education goals, focus resources on core education programs/curriculum and ensure highly qualified teachers are provided for each classroom through innovative staff recruitment and retention practices. Emphasis on classroom instruction and strong partnerships between administrators, teachers and parents/guardians should also be advocated by the board.
This article originally appeared on Kinston/Jones Free Press: Lenoir County school board member running opposed in General Election
