Rebuilding Jacket Pride: A New Chapter for Our Children
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By Cheryl Leverett-Lide, Candidate for the Lexington City Schools Board of Education, Ward 6
As I’ve made my way through the City of Lexington—knocking on doors, visiting neighborhoods, and talking with residents—I’ve heard a consistent refrain from older citizens: stories of immense pride. They spoke of a time when Lexington City Schools were the heartbeat of the community. Not just for the Friday Night Lights, but for the Monday morning math classes too. It all mattered.
Back then, schools were where dreams took shape and futures took flight. Alumni returned to reunions proudly reporting they had been well-prepared for life beyond Lexington. Hope and possibility seemed boundless.
When I asked our younger residents and recent graduates the same questions, their reflections painted a different picture. What was once optimism has often been replaced by realism. Our young people know they’re stepping into a global community—competing not just with one another but with students from around the world. They’ve realized that comparing themselves only within Lexington is no longer enough.
Today, we stand at a crossroads. The latest North Carolina Department of Public Instruction report shows that less than half of our students are performing at grade level in math and reading. This designation as a “poor-performing district” is not an indictment of our children’s potential—it’s a warning light for the systems and practices that need to change. Too many capable, bright students are graduating without the confidence or skills they need for college, a trade, or today’s job market.
Yet, even in these challenges, I see resilience. Our community is ready for both change and hope. We recognize our deficits—the need for a new high school, the quiet decline of athletics, arts, and extracurricular programs—but we are strong enough to face them together. True growth happens when a community commits to rebuilding, not retreating.
As your next Board of Education member, I will move beyond marginal fixes and focus on creative, actionable steps that unite parents, teachers, and students. Together, we can rebuild that vibrant Jacket Pride and ensure that every Lexington student feels equipped and empowered.
I humbly ask for your vote for Ward 6 on the Lexington City Schools Board of Education. Let’s restore hope, pride, and possibility to our next generation of leaders. When we do, Lexington City Schools will once again stand as a model of what collective success looks like.
Early voting runs from October 16 through November 1. Election Day is November 4. Let’s get to work—together.
