WS Chronicle

Photo by Tevin Stinson

BY TEVIN STINSON 

THE CHRONICLE 

More than a dozen local teachers and other educators marched to the polls to cast their ballots in style last week. During the first day of early voting, armed with signs supporting Hillary Clinton and Roy Cooper, the band of teachers marched from Main Street, to the Forsyth County Board of Elections on Chestnut Street. Before heading inside to cast their ballots, they took a moment to verbally show their support for the Democrats running for president and governor. After leading a chant of “Dump the Trump,” Tripp Jeffers, a teacher at Parkland High School, said he was very confident that both Clinton and Cooper will win. He said, “If all goes well, the candidates who have the right idea about public education will win.”

When asked about the three bond packages totaling $430 million for local schools on the ballot this year, Jeffers said, the fact that the county commissioners felt the need to put it on the ballot shows they are dedicated to the growth of our schools.

“Forsyth County is well over due for a bond like this. It will ensure that our school district will continue to grow and evolve,” he continued. “We must grow if we want to support our students.”

If approved by voters, the funds for the bonds will be used for repairs, renovations and new buildings. The bond also includes systemwide improvements, such as technology upgrades in every classroom, media center updates and 3-D printers.

Forsyth County Association of Educators President Rhonda Mays said, “This election is not only one of the most important of our lifetimes, but it is critical to our livelihood and the future of our children.”

She said in order to ensure that our public schools are well funded and that our students have the resources they need, it is important that educators exercise their right to vote.

“We must elect candidates who care about public education in this state across the nation,” Mays said.