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Some of the most competitive candidate races are for the Beaufort County Board of Education. There are strong feelings on several issues. They include the construction of a new school, the superintendent, curriculum, school performance, safety and school discipline. Let’s look at each of these individually;

New School – the new school will replace both Eastern and JC Tayloe Elementary schools. Eastern, kindergarten and grade 1, and JC Tayloe, grades 2 and 3, will be combined into the new school. From a physical standpoint, Eastern and JC Tayloe are obsolete and need replacement. Beaufort County is provided with $42 million in state lottery funds to build the school. Beaufort County Government will provide any additional funds to complete the school.

Savings include reduced fixed cost and less busing. The new school is designed with safety and security prioritized. It will provide a much-improved educational environment. I strongly support the building of the new school. This is an opportunity that Beaufort County won’t get again.

Superintendent – Dr. Matthew Cheeseman was hired in December, 2018, by the Beaufort County School Board. COVID starts shortly after his hire and had a negative effect on all NC schools including BCS. School performance was down due to the effect of the virus and closing of the schools. Through the use of school improvement teams, performance is up and improving. Dr. Cheeseman was NERESA Region 1 Superintendent of the Year in 2021. I believe he’s done a good job under a severe situation.

Curriculum – The NC Standard Course of Study defines the appropriate content standards for each grade or proficiency level and each high school course to provide a uniform set of learning standards for every public school. The Department of Public Instruction provides a database of NC Adopted Instructional material by provider for the schools to select from. Public school curriculum is a state issue.

School Performance – Beaufort County schools moved up from being a low performing district with improvement at most schools. Two low-performing schools moved up one grade level. School performance teams are working to further increase school performance.

School Discipline – Discipline has been a problem with just about all schools across the state. Discipline has improved greatly at P.S. Jones under principal Alicia Vosburgh’s leadership. P.S. Jones had been considered a problem for years. The return of Dr. Michael Swinson will improve discipline and performance at Washington High School. Discipline and accountability are a priority at Beaufort County Schools.

Safety – To improve safety at all schools, Sheriff Scott Hammonds has reliably provided a School Resource Officer at each school. Due to concerns about school shootings and firearms, metal detectors have been purchased for all three high schools and P.S. Jones Middle School.

There doesn’t appear to be a candidate forum for the school board races this year. At a forum the incumbents defend their record and the opposition pushes their platform and concerns about their opponent. It’s important to really know the candidates, particularly if you’re a parent.

The main thing is to get out and vote. Once elected, they will be the school members for four years.

Al Klemm is a Washington resident and a former Beaufort County Commissioner.