As Election Day approaches, candidates vying for seats on the county Gaston Board of Education have shared their perspectives on key educational issues. With local residents preparing to vote, candidates answered a series of questions from The Gazette to provide insights into their qualifications and plans for the future of public education.
Jeff Ramsey and Benda Eskridge on Addressing Challenges in Gaston Board of Education
Jeff Ramsey, a four-term at-large member of the county Gaston Board of Education, emphasized the teacher shortage, funding challenges, and population growth as the most pressing concerns. Ramsey highlighted the need to improve salaries and benefits to attract and retain talented teachers. He also addressed the rapid population growth in Gaston County, which he said will soon impact student enrollment, making it crucial to plan ahead. Ramsey expressed his commitment to strengthening career and technical education (CTE) programs, providing students with diverse career pathways.
Benda Eskridge, also running for an at-large position, focused on teacher retention, resource allocation, and student achievement. Eskridge proposed competitive salaries and professional development to keep teachers in the district. She advocated for equitable funding for all schools, ensuring that students have access to necessary resources, including mental health services and technology. Eskridge also highlighted the importance of preparing students for life after graduation, whether in higher education or the workforce, through a balanced curriculum that includes practical skills like financial literacy.
Diverse Perspectives on School Choice and Book Removal
The topic of school choice brought out a range of opinions. Ramsey, a strong advocate of public schools, called for making traditional public schools the best choice for families. He praised Gaston County’s early adoption of school choice programs, noting the success of initiatives like the Highland School of Technology. Eskridge also supported school choice but emphasized that it should complement, not replace, the quality of education in all public schools.
Candidates also shared their views on the removal of books from school libraries. Ramsey took a firm stance that any inappropriate books should be removed, while Eskridge supported intellectual freedom, urging for a balanced decision-making process that involves educators, parents, and the community. Similarly, Che’z Adams, running for the Gastonia Township seat, stressed the importance of books as essential learning tools and opposed the removal of library materials.
Township Candidates Focus on Teacher Pay and Safety
Candidates for the Gastonia Township, Che’z Adams, Tim Taylor, and Teresa Connor, also shared their views on education. Adams, a former social worker and current educator, identified teacher pay, facilities, and teaching resources as the biggest issues. She advocated for higher salaries to prevent teachers from leaving for higher-paying counties and called for improving school facilities to boost morale. Taylor, a telecommunications manager and parent, highlighted teacher retention, student safety, and expanding science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) programs as his priorities.
Teresa Connor, a retired FedEx employee, focused on security, education quality, and teacher pay. Connor proposed reinstating prayer in schools and displaying the Ten Commandments in classrooms as part of her vision for reinforcing positive values among students. She also emphasized the importance of strong parent-teacher relationships to ensure student success.
As the election nears, these candidates aim to shape the future of Gaston County schools with their diverse perspectives on education.
