#LocalElectionsMatter: Lexington City Schools Board of Education Candidates
Sidney Briggs, our first intern at Davidson Local, approached us last year with an idea. At the time, she was a soon to be high school graduate who would be voting for the first time in 2022. Being an informed voter is of utmost importance to Sidney. She also believes her fellow citizens should have access to information that will assist them in the voting booth.
Fresh off her Freshman year at Wellsley College in Massachusetts, Sidney returned home for the summer and has been hard at work. During the month of August, she has been emailing candidates running for Mayor of Lexington, Lexington City Council and Lexington City Schools Board of Education a series of questions regarding their platform.
Today, we’re publishing answers from the Lexington mayoral candidates. Answers are verbatim.
We appreciate Sidney’s commitment to her fellow residents.
-KSL
*We didn’t receive answers from candidates Marilyn Roman and Brent Wall prior to publication.
Submit your questions here!
What are your thoughts on the recent movement to ban books in schools?
Ward 1 Candidates
Cyretta Holt - I think it’s a travesty and disadvantage to the teachers, students and society. If the books were previously approved and been in schools for decades, why now? What is in those books that you can’t find on social media or real life. If we don’t know history or facts what do we have. This is society, is not innocent or squeaky clean, what are we hiding really from?
Darrick Horton (Incumbent) - The debate over banning books in schools is multifaceted. Opponents argue for intellectual freedom and the value of exposing students to diverse ideas, fostering critical thinking and empathy. Banning can impede real-world preparedness and limit the exploration of complex subjects. Proponents of bans emphasize age-appropriateness and parental control, suggesting that some content might be unsuitable or counter to family values. The decision involves balancing cultural norms, community values, and educational goals. While safeguarding children is important, restricting access to literature also raises concerns about stifling learning and discourse. Finding common ground through open dialogue among educators, parents, and communities is crucial for navigating this complex issue.
Ward 2 Candidates
Kathy Hinkle (Incumbent) - I believe that parents have the right to know and inspect materials used in their child’s education. Any parent who has an objection to a particular item may submit a written objection to the principal and request an alternative book assignment with similar assessments. However, while we are sensitive to the needs of our families on this topic, schools must follow the policy set by the Lexington City Schools Board of Education. There are state statutes that specify how a parent’s objection must be handled, and the board must follow the North Carolina law. The principal may establish a review committee who will determine the appropriateness of the material. If the request is denied and the student or parent is dissatisfied with the decision, I support the right to an appeal.
Pamela McAfee - I have a long history of being anti-censorship, from hosting Banned Books Week conversations on my social media to focusing my last research paper in college on the topic. I think in general censorship is based in fear of change. Censorship is a resistance to societal evolution. Censorship scares me to my core!
I recall watching a documentary from the early nineties on book burnings. A man was being interviewed with a zealous crowd behind him throwing books on a huge pyre that was as tall as he was. It was a bonfire party. The interviewer asked him what he was doing. Gleefully he responded that he was burning books. The follow up question: "What books are you burning?" Him:(still grinning) "I don't know." This exchange haunts me over 30 years later.
How do you plan to support teachers in the Lexington City Schools?
Ward 1 Candidates
Holt - To actively listen to teaches the community members to hear the needs and what will make a difference. Encourage and respect.
Horton - I can aid teachers in Lexington City Schools by assisting in offering professional development resources, suggesting differentiated teaching strategies, providing research assistance, aiding language communication, and suggesting creative classroom activities. Additionally, consider requesting increased support and resources from the Lexington City Council to further enhance learning experiences and outcomes for students and increasing teacher supplements. However, my role is to complement their teaching, adapting to diverse student needs while keeping educators current with educational trends.
Ward 2 Candidates
Hinkle - Showing an interest in the teachers and what they do is an important part of our work as board members. Since I have been on the board I have supported teachers by being visible and available. I welcome individual conversations with teachers. They know I am available to talk with them any time they have a question or concern. Any time I am invited to visit a school I try to be there. My participation as a current board member includes serving as a greeter at orientation and on the first day of school, and participating in monthly classroom visits. This gives me an opportunity to meet new teachers and assure faculty and staff I am accessible and open to hearing their concerns. I attend the back-to-school breakfast each year and attended the tailgate prior to the first football game this year. These informal gatherings provide an opportunity to mingle and talk individually with staff. I have proctored end of grade exams, done lunch duty so teachers can have a break, and read with students in classrooms. I have attended graduation, awards days at the schools and the end of the year celebration at Southwest Global Academy. Sharing these events with parents allows me to share in the pride of their children’s accomplishments and build stronger bonds between the schools, the board and the community.
McAfee - There is no other way around it, we have to find ways to pay our teachers more. We are losing staff and faculty to surrounding areas that can pay more. Much of the issue of teacher pay and funding public schools stems from the General Assembly. The money is out there but we have to find ways to get it to our schools and work to keep it for the students of Lexington Public Schools and not be bled off by charter schools. There is a court case that is about 30 years old called Leandro. It started with a handful of rural schools saying their students weren't getting a basic education. As the case grew to include more groups, such as disabled and black students. The courts found that the students of NC had a Constitutional Right to a *basic* education and they weren't getting it. A study was done. The plan was made to give our students access to a *basic* education, and the politicians in Raleigh are sitting on that court ordered millions in funding. I will fight to release that money for Lexington Public Schools.
Describe your commitment to diversity, equity, and belonging.
Ward 1 Candidates
- Engage in being is open as possible in every situation provide necessary resources be flexible able to change.
Horton- I strongly believe in the importance of diversity, equity, and belonging. It's crucial to embrace different backgrounds and perspectives because they can teach us so much. I'm committed to making sure everyone gets a fair shot and has the same opportunities. But it's not just about that – it's also about making sure everyone feels like they truly fit in and are valued. I want people to know they're accepted just as they are. By holding onto these beliefs, I hope to help create environments where everyone feels empowered, our differences are celebrated, and we all feel like we belong together.
Ward 2 Candidates
Hinkle - Equity, giving everyone what they need to succeed, is more important than equality, treating everyone the same. Providing diversity and equity training helps teachers and staff include and encourage success of all students, regardless of their differences in culture or abilities. Creating opportunities for classes at South Lexington to partner with students of similar age at the Developmental Center in music, art or adaptive PE classes, and to participate in active reading, outside or lunch time together would help encourage acceptance of differences in abilities, and allow developmental center students to feel a part of the school as a whole. This can strengthen both the school and the community. When possible, I would encourage participation in the arts classes- band, chorus and dance- by differently abled students.To bring awareness of and appreciation for the different ethnicities, I would advocate for a multicultural celebration for all schools. This could be held at Southwest Global Academy, giving them an opportunity to showcase what they have learned during the school year. Additionally, selection of literature and materials for media centers and classrooms to include characters from a variety of ethnic groups, family types and abilities will encourage students to be aware of and respect those who might otherwise be perceived as different.
McAfee - We have to be honest enough to admit that equity is nearly impossible to achieve in a system where many of us start from a place far behind others. Some of my hurdles were poverty, trauma, disability, and homelessness. But those are labels. Labels should not define you. They are part of my story, however. When we learn the stories of those around us, the stories of our ancestors, our talents, and our hopes and dreams, we can learn to appreciate what makes us different and what connects us.
This is a nice concept and goal, but to be real for a minute: We need to face the high poverty rate in Lexington, food insecurity, generational trauma, and other obstacles for our students. One of my chief concerns is students with disabilities. North Carolina leads the nation in suspending students with disabilities. How many of our disciplinary issues are due to undiagnosed learning disabilities? I plan on doing my best to speak truth to power and engaging in the tough discussions. We have to or things will never improve.
On belonging, I love seeing Jacket Pride in Lexington! Anything that I can do to keep that going, I will!
If you could choose one book for all Lexington Senior High students to read, what would it be?
Ward 1 Candidates
Holt - Six lessons on change from. Who moved my cheese by Spencer Johnson
Horton- Selecting a single book for all Lexington Senior High students is a complex task, as different students have diverse interests, backgrounds, and learning needs. However, a book that often resonates with a wide audience and offers valuable themes for discussion could be "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee. This classic novel addresses issues of racial injustice, moral growth, empathy, and understanding in a thought-provoking and accessible way. Its historical context and timeless themes can encourage meaningful conversations about social issues, personal growth, and the importance of standing up against prejudice. Nevertheless, it's essential to consider the preferences and sensitivities of the students and community, and to ensure that a variety of perspectives and genres are available to cater to different learning styles and interests.
Ward 2 Candidates
Hinkle - I would choose The Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo. This book is appropriate for a variety of academic levels. The vocabulary is easy to understand for lower reading levels and the theme has widespread appeal which makes it interesting for advanced students. Each reader can find a unique way to relate to the theme and to derive their own meaning through personal connections. The book describes a simple journey of Santiago, the main character, to reach his goals. He is encouraged by those he meets along the way, as our students are encouraged by their teachers and peers. Our students can relate to the encouragement Santiago finds in the book. The primary theme is to encourage individuals to live in pursuit of their own personal goals, to learn from their mistakes and to not become discouraged. Many of our students will be able to relate to this on a personal level. There is also diversity in the story to which our students can relate. In his travels Santiago meets individuals of varied backgrounds and meets the challenges of relating to and communicating with them, as our students do in school.
McAfee - It's hard to choose one book, but if I must, it would be a toss up between Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury or The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier. Both are about standing up to the status quo and thinking for yourself.
I would suggest that every year we share the ALA Banned and Challenged Book Lists and pick a book.
What is one word you would use to describe your leadership style?
Ward 1 Candidates
Holt - Collaborative
Horton - Confidence
Ward 2 Candidates
Hinkle - I am best described as a Laissez-Faire Leader. My definition of a good leader is one who surrounds themselves with good team members and gives them the autonomy to do what is needed to accomplish the task. This is laissez-fair leadership- trusting the team to do the tasks at hand with minimum interference. This does not mean that there is no accountability, feedback or structure, but rather that the atmosphere is more relaxed and more of the decision-making is delegated to the team. This only works effectively if the leader carefully chooses strong team members who have the initiative and talents needed to accomplish the desired goals.
McAfee - Advocate
