![Seven candidates participated in the school board candidates’ forum on October 11. Pictured left to right: Phillip Glover, Coleman Hunt, Ronnie Grigg, Dena Green, Danny Blanton, Aaron Bridges and Meghan Hoppes. Walter Scott Spurling is not pictured due to a previous engagement. Photo by www.c19.tv Screen shot 2022 10 19 at 4.33.39 pm](https://d14tal8bchn59o.cloudfront.net/zspaE4adctj6ZbLiXAyMrIn6d4l_gL2h6NmiFeL11Fo/w:960/plain/https://02f0a56ef46d93f03c90-22ac5f107621879d5667e0d7ed595bdb.ssl.cf2.rackcdn.com/sites/28919/photos/2678175/Screen_Shot_2022-10-19_at_4.33.39_PM_original.png)
CC School Board
candidates’ forum
By Loretta Cozart
On Tuesday, October 11 at 6 p.m. on C-19, Cleveland County Board of Education school board candidates participated in a live forum at Cleveland Community College’s studios at the Bailey Center. Andy Dedmon and Mike Philbeck moderated the forum.
Eight candidates are running for four seats during this election cycle, seven of whom participated: Danny Blanton, Aaron Bridges, Phillip Glover, Dena Greene, Ronnie Grigg, Meghan Hoppes, and Coleman Hunt. Walter Scott Spurling was unable to attend.
The questions were developed by a committee representing the forum sponsors and were not available to candidates prior to the event.
Candidates were asked a variety of questions: Questions ranged from their top three priorities for Cleveland County Schools, their support of mandatory masks and remove learning, whether they supported the quarter-cent sales tax, their thoughts on the next top three priorities for CCS, whether they favor partisan elections on even number years, and what if anything should be done to improve the quality of school meals.
A hot button question regarded their position on parental rights regarding critical race theory, LGBTQ+ and appropriate library materials, among other issues. Other questions included the adequacy of school safety and ways to improve, the candidates understanding of what is allowed to be discussed in closed sessions and if the candidate agrees to only discuss that which is lawful in closed session.
Incumbents were asked to name an accomplishment they are most proud of, and challengers where asked what one thing they would like to accomplish in the next four years. The final question was regarding the fact that Cleveland County Schools opened schools nine days prior to that allowed by the state this year. Candidates were asked is this clear violation of NC law a good example to teach the children.
To hear the candidates’ answers to these important questions facing Cleveland County Schools, tune into www.c19.tv and scroll to the bottom of the menu and click on the button labeled “Cleveland County Board of Education Candidates Forum.” Repeat telecasts will also air on Spectrum C19 over the following weeks leading up to election day.
On Tuesday, October 11 at 6 p.m. on C-19, Cleveland County Board of Education school board candidates participated in a live forum at Cleveland Community College’s studios at the Bailey Center. Andy Dedmon and Mike Philbeck moderated the forum.
Eight candidates are running for four seats during this election cycle, seven of whom participated: Danny Blanton, Aaron Bridges, Phillip Glover, Dena Greene, Ronnie Grigg, Meghan Hoppes, and Coleman Hunt. Walter Scott Spurling was unable to attend.
The questions were developed by a committee representing the forum sponsors and were not available to candidates prior to the event.
Candidates were asked a variety of questions: Questions ranged from their top three priorities for Cleveland County Schools, their support of mandatory masks and remove learning, whether they supported the quarter-cent sales tax, their thoughts on the next top three priorities for CCS, whether they favor partisan elections on even number years, and what if anything should be done to improve the quality of school meals.
A hot button question regarded their position on parental rights regarding critical race theory, LGBTQ+ and appropriate library materials, among other issues. Other questions included the adequacy of school safety and ways to improve, the candidates understanding of what is allowed to be discussed in closed sessions and if the candidate agrees to only discuss that which is lawful in closed session.
Incumbents were asked to name an accomplishment they are most proud of, and challengers where asked what one thing they would like to accomplish in the next four years. The final question was regarding the fact that Cleveland County Schools opened schools nine days prior to that allowed by the state this year. Candidates were asked is this clear violation of NC law a good example to teach the children.
To hear the candidates’ answers to these important questions facing Cleveland County Schools, tune into www.c19.tv and scroll to the bottom of the menu and click on the button labeled “Cleveland County Board of Education Candidates Forum.” Repeat telecasts will also air on Spectrum C19 over the following weeks leading up to election day.