Two incumbents and six newcomers are vying for two seats on the five-member Davidson County Board of Education in the general election.
They are Jenny Ball, Darren Barnes, Ralph Chappell, Dwight Cornelison, incumbent Carol Crouse, Brian Feezor, incumbent Jeannie Leonard and Neal Motsinger. The winners will serve four-year terms.
Ball, 40, was raised in Lexington. She is a student at Davidson County Community College studying criminal justice. She is married to Shane, and they have two daughters — Alyssa and Rylie. Ball chose to homeschool her daughters because she did not believe their needs were being met in a traditional classroom setting.
Barnes, 49, is an account executive with Dynamic Quest and has lived in Davidson County since 2008. He is married to Tamela. He has raised five children who are graduates of Central Davidson and Davidson County high schools. He is originally from New York and obtained a visual arts degree from State University of New York at New Paltz.
Chappell, 66, is a graduate of Reynolds High School and obtained a criminal justice degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. His background includes running businesses as both a manager and owner, being an experienced instructor in the classroom and in-flight trainer of pilots and crew members. He has lived in Midway for the past four years.
Cornelison, 54, is married to Debra and has a son at South Davidson High School. The East Davidson High School graduate has an associate's degree in general occupation technology from DCCC and a bachelor's degree in management and ethics from John Wesley College. He is a program coordinator for the air conditioning/heating and refrigeration technology department at Forsyth Technical Community College. He was a Thomasville City Councilman from 1999-2007. He has served on the board of directors of Fairgrove Family Resource Center and Alpha Pregnancy Support and is very active at Mountain View Baptist Church.
Crouse, 60, is the school board's chairwoman who is seeking her fourth term on the board. She is a Central Davidson High School graduate and obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree with a teaching certification from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She is married to Blair, and they have three sons who graduated from the county system and one grandson who will attend the district. She has served as a former board member and chairwoman of Communities In Schools of Lexington/Davidson County and on various committees and panels for Davidson County Schools. She has held offices in Parent Teacher Organizations, athletic boosters and band boosters organizations.
Feezor, 40, received an associate's degree in ornamental horticulture from North Carolina State University and a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture education from North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University. He is married to Amy, and they have three girls attending Midway Elementary and Oak Grove Middle schools. The North Davidson High School graduate works as a preschool teacher and has served on the parent advisory council at Midway Elementary School. He is also active at Center United Methodist Church in Welcome and a youth group leader at Midway United Methodist Church. He ran unsuccessfully in 2012 for a seat on the board.
Leonard, 43, is a lifelong resident of Davidson County. She is the vice chairwoman of the board and has been serving as a member for the past four years. She's married to Bentley. The CDHS graduate received an education degree in home economics from Western Carolina University. She taught for 10 years in the classroom with the last seven at CDHS. She is a field faculty member with Davidson County Cooperative Extension.
Motsinger, 55, is a graduate of North Davidson High School and earned an accounting degree from High Point University. He is the secretary/treasurer of Motsinger Block & Motsinger Precast Products. He is married to Gail. They have three daughters who attend North Davidson High and Midway Elementary schools. He is a lifelong member of Midway United Methodist Church and served on numerous committees. He has also served several years on the Midway Elementary Advisory Board, North Davidson Athletic Boosters Club and EnergyUnited Advisory Board where he is chairman of the nominating committee.
Candidates were asked a set of questions concerning the open seats.
What motivates you to want to serve on the Davidson County Board of Education?
Ball: My decision to run for school board was based largely in part to the issues at Stoner-Thomas School. The Stoner-Thomas building has been overlooked for years. As a parent of two children with unique needs I know how important it is for the learning environment to fit the needs of these children.
Barnes: Investing in the education of our children ensures the success of our nation's future. I want to impact the future of our youth by serving on the board and lending my knowledge and experience for many of the same reasons I have served on the advisory board with the Davidson County Boys and Girls Club.
Chappell: The board of education needs new leadership as a direct result of the Stoner-Thomas School situation. That situation is a case study of failure by a school board and particularly its leadership. To think our handicapped/special needs school had gone 30 years without a handicapped accessible bathroom, and the children had been transported by bus to another school every day for lunch indicates how bad that lack of concern has been. That is compounded by the fact the new superintendent fixed both of those problems very quickly after learning of them.
Cornelison: I want to help give our youth the opportunity to succeed in life by giving them the best possible education with options for different career paths. Helping youth has always been a part of my life. I have worked with young people by coaching basketball, baseball and soccer through the Tom A Finch Community YMCA, Thomasville Parks and Recreation and Davidson County Parks and Recreation. I have worked with youth of all ages and economic backgrounds. Now that I am a community college instructor I have an opportunity to help people train for a career.
Crouse: I chose to seek re-election for two reasons. I enjoy service to our school system. There are many positive things that happen with our teachers and students each and every day. Secondly, I am a proponent for public schools. Public education in Davidson County is the pathway for children's success and our future. I would like to continue to support Davidson County Schools as we strive to make all our students career and college ready.
Feezor: I am proud of our school system. I believe in public education. I have been involved in our school system as a student, a teacher and most recently a parent. I bring a wealth of experience by having served in each of those capacities. Our kids, teachers and parents deserve the best education that we can afford to provide them. Davidson County deserves the best. I will work tirelessly to ensure that excellence.
Leonard: Being a voice for all the 21,000 students, parents and teachers of Davidson County is what motivates me to serve on the board of education. In my current job, I get a lot of opportunities to work with students and teachers in our school system. So I get to see firsthand what is going on in our schools.
Motsinger: I believe I have a strong understanding of the current needs of the board from the perspective of a parent, a community volunteer and a former school advisory council member. I am also a local small business person who believes entrepreneur and business survival skills are essential for our youth if they are to be career successful. As a community voice I was able to bring people together from the community and successfully lobby the county commissioners in the spring of 2013 to commit to building the new Oak Grove High School. I believe I can use the same advocacy and lobbying skills to represent our 20,000 students.
What are the challenges facing education in this community and how do you plan to address them?
Ball: The funding for Davidson County Schools has always been a challenge. I believe that we need to look at ways to be more creative with the monies we have and cut costs where applicable. I think we should look at each department individually and see where we could change things to put more money in our classrooms.
Barnes: With the introduction of the N.C. Common Core and challenging budgets that continues to shrink and erode our base of educators, now more than ever we need to better engage our parents, teachers and students. Davidson County is coming back from an economic perspective. The next five to 10 years, I believe, will be strong growth years for our community, and we need forward-thinking leaders on our board who will look to make decisions that will accommodate that growth.
Chappell: The board of education must work closely with the Davidson County Board of Commissioners and superintendent to move our school system forward and solve problems with N.C. Common Core, improve school system funding and most importantly encourage problems and concerns to be reported from all sources, and then work to resolve them.
Cornelison: Leadership and vision regarding the issues facing our education system such as textbooks, computer labs and security in our schools just to name a few. Implementing a vocational and technical career path to meet the new demands of our economy should be a top priority. N.C. Common Core was implemented with little preparation and without researching the impact on our students and teachers. We participate in a nutrition program that restricts fundraising efforts by our youth groups trying to raise money for projects and events. The recent controversy regarding prayer at football games is an example of a policy that should have been addressed at the beginning of the school year, not in the middle of the season.
Crouse: Our challenges continue with funding, technology needs, building and facility maintenance needs, increased class sizes, and fewer teachers and teaching assistants. The school board must be increasingly more vocal and willing to work more cooperatively with our government leaders and representatives to make them aware of the impact of educational cuts on the future of a 21st century workforce.
Feezor: I will work to ensure that the school system is properly funded and that our assets are properly being used. The school board is responsible for creating a proper and timely budget. I am committed to protecting the jobs of our teacher assistants who provide necessary support for our classroom teachers. I will work to identify inadequate school facilities and will stress the importance of creating safe and properly sized schools.
Leonard: A major challenge for our community is to see the Oak Grove Area High School completed. This will be the first new high school constructed since the 1990s. While this facility will be the most up to date, we need to make sure our other schools continue to be updated. I believe community input needs to continue to be a high priority for the board of education.
Motsinger: I have great concern for the financial and diminishing resource crisis facing our schools. Teacher benefits and salaries are lacking. We are in a tight place, and good, prudent budget planning is essential. The board of education, I believe, will be called on in the near future to increase funding for activities such as athletics, band and other school activities, something surrounding school systems already do. Parents just cannot be asked to send more money and pay more fees. The demands for modern community schools, with good technology, not overcrowded, and well-staffed, add to the needs. County commissioners and state representatives must be approached and educated by individual board members and the board as a group on the problems and the proposed plans. Board members must be accessible to listen and respond to the citizens of the county.
What special strengths or background do you believe you would bring to the board?
Ball: Having worked with a board before as the president of a PTO gave me a wealth of knowledge into what the schools covered as far as costs and what they did not. When I served the PTO was required to leave $5,000 in our general fund. I was very fortunate to work with a board who worked hard and diligently, and we were able to leave a balance of $10,000 at the end of the year. I also believe volunteering in my child's classroom gave me insight into the issues that teachers face on a daily basis.
Barnes: My strong business background will lend itself well to the board with skills that I have honed and developed over the past 25 years in key decision-making, problem-solving, team building and leadership. Having the ability to analyze key metrics and provide an insightful and objective opinion I believe will be a great asset to the board.
Chappell: I have owned and operated businesses and also conducted complex criminal investigations with specialized training in contract fraud investigations as a Naval Criminal Investigate Service special agent. That background combined with my teaching experience as an FAA licensed flight instructor and demonstrated leadership ability gained from my military service as a U.S. Army helicopter pilot during two tours of service in Vietnam provides me with the ability to meet the challenges of being an effective representative of the community on the board of education.
Cornelison: I have been a program coordinator and instructor in the community college system for almost 12 years. My duties include, but not limited to, curriculum design within state guidelines and input from local businesses, writing tactical plans that meet both the mission of the college and the needs of the student, hiring adjunct instructors and recruitment. I am responsible for purchasing equipment and supplies for my program within strict budgetary guidelines. I have created partnerships within the business community that benefit the school, the local economy and, most importantly, the student. After running a heating and air conditioning business for almost 15 years, I know the importance of having a skilled work force, the education it requires, customer service and community involvement.
Crouse: My background is rooted in public education as a former teacher and long-time participant and advocate for involvement in schools. Over the past 12 years I have established relationships with other board members and legislators across the state. It is important to continue to work with these contacts and in congruence with local staff and administration to bring about the changes necessary for the success of the students of Davidson County Schools.
Feezor: I am uniquely qualified to serve on the board of education. I served as a vocational agriculture teacher at EDHS from 2000-2006. I am still involved in education, working as a preschool teacher at Midway United Methodist Church. Working with children of various ages in the school system has given me firsthand experience with the challenges educating our students. I'm committed to listening to and representing the stakeholders of our school system.
Leonard: I believe my background of being a former classroom teacher gives me a strong strength for our board. I feel very comfortable in voicing my opinion based on my past and current classroom experiences.
Motsinger: I am a small businessman, and my business success depends on an effective, conservative, well-planned budget. It is hard and time-consuming to understand and adopt a complex budget, such as Davidson County's school budget, and be able to discuss it with the public. I have proven to the county I can stand up and address a governmental body on a subject of controversy, advocate properly, receive respect and be successful. I will be a strong voice and aggressive voice in Davidson County and Raleigh for our children and staff. I will attend all commissioners' meetings to speak on behalf of our schools and meet with our General Assembly delegates on behalf of our schools when the need arises.
Anything else you would like to say about running for the school board?
Ball: I believe if I am elected to the school board I will have a positive impact on our schools, students, faculty and community. I believe that working together with the other board members and Superintendent Dr. Lory Morrow we can find funding. I also believe that we must lobby our representatives in Raleigh and make them aware that we must have more funds for our students and teachers.
Barnes: Many of the candidates that are running for the open board positions have strong backgrounds in education, and I believe that having board members that possess a good background education is a good thing. I am also a firm believer that having board members with a strong business acumen and good leadership as well as excellent decision-making skills is as equally important or more important to facilitate a strong school board.
Chappell: Every decision the board makes should be focused upon providing the best possible educational and life skills training opportunities possible for every student.
Cornelison: Education, particularly vocational and technical education with a common sense approach, will greatly benefit Davidson County. An educated populace will help recruit high-paying jobs to our communities, bring investment to our infrastructure and improve everyone's standard of living. I am committed to introducing Skills USA programs and vocational training back in our schools. My experience in education, government and business makes me uniquely qualified to serve on the board of education. The resources available to me because of this experience will greatly serve our students.
Crouse: Work of the school board is very rewarding. While there are aspects that require difficult decisions, there are the many successes that make it all worthwhile. I am a school board member because I am passionate about education and dedicated to everyday growth and success for staff and students.
Feezor: Being connected to the uniqueness of each school is important. It is also important for a school board member to be visible and accessible. I understand that community pride is an important component of what makes our schools successful. I have seen many innovations and improvements in the practice of educating our students, and I am excited about being a part of the leadership to continue improving the total educational experience.
Leonard: I would like the opportunity to serve on the board to see some of our current projects completed, such as the new high school and updating of Stoner-Thomas School. I would also like to continue to have input on Yadkin Valley Regional Career Academy and be there to experience its first graduating class walk across the stage.
Motsinger: My job is to listen to parents and citizens and ask questions representing them. The board of education must know and speak to the budget and all related issues. The board of education must advocate for our good, people friendly, local community schools and their quest for excellence. Our current and future students will define the future of Davidson County. As a member of the board of education, I will work with our excellent teachers and administrators to see that all Davidson County students receive the skills and education, as well as provide the facilities, needed to educate those students so they can be part of a prosperous, growing and successful Davidson County.
Deneesha Edwards can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 213, or at deneesha.edwards@the-dispatch.com. Follow Deneesha on Twitter: @LexDispatchDE