With all eyes on the Presidential Election, it can be easy to look over our local races affecting issues close to home.
The forum between the school board candidates, which took place on Sept. 18, was the first of its kind for Lexington. Attendance was plentiful with many intrigued residents hoping to gain an understanding of where the candidates stood on the issues.
Of the four candidates running for positions on the board, Tammy Dunn is the only current incumbent choosing to run for election, as the three other terms do not expire until 2027. The other challengers are Meghan Ferguson, Katie Masey and Kasey Potter.
Previously, the city council has appointed school board members. However, in a 2022 referendum, 62% of Lexington voters chose to begin electing its school board members.
During the forum, Potter said she would not advocate for banning books, instead saying that each parent should decide what their children read.
Ferguson, meanwhile, advocated for a change in the school board policy around the reporting of bullying. Currently, Lexington City Schools define bullying as repeated incidents of aggressive behavior, but Ferguson said she wants the definition to include singular incidents.
During the discussion of the possible implementation of school vouchers, incumbent board member Tammy Dunn admitted she did not know much about vouchers. However, she said what stood out to her was “the financial impact it could have on a locality as small as ours, and that it tends to cater to the more affluent families.”
Lexington City Schools have over 450 children enrolled in grades K-8 and employ over 86 staff members. When students enter the ninth grade, they attend Rockbridge County High School due to an agreement with Rockbridge County Public Schools and Lexington City Schools to provide tuition.
Lexington City Schools currently pays for the tuition and attendance of all city residents to Rockbridge County High School. There is no elected member from Lexington on the Rockbridge County School Board.
Ferguson wants to change the system so that the Rockbridge County School Board includes a city resident.
“No taxation without representation,” Ferguson said.
Masey advocated for complete anonymity in staff surveys.
“An avenue to give anonymous feedback could go a long way at shedding light on where the most current, pressing needs are,” Masey said.
Given the variety of clubs, organizations and classes on Washington and Lee’s campus that are involved with local public schools, the elected school board candidates will impact the collaboration between the university and Lexington City Schools.
In the university’s Languages of Rockbridge program, student volunteers teach different languages to Rockbridge County students. Masey has conducted research on bilingual education.
Professor Finch, an associate professor of journalism and mass communications teaching a class about local and state government, was asked how school board decisions and opportunities for students at the collegiate level and why college students should care about these outcomes.
“As college students, you are in between these issues,” Finch said. “But your parents and younger siblings care about those libraries, textbooks and how subjects are taught. And soon, you will begin your career. Even if you’re not starting your own family, a school board could affect the cost of buying your first home, even what neighborhood you choose to move into.”
He also said that citizens should care about the quality of education that is being provided, as it affects the character of the community they live in.
In reference to how college students can engage and influence school board elections and educational policy, Professor Finch said that the obvious answer is to vote, but that before doing so it is important to actively research the issues.
For students that are interested in getting directly involved in school board races, Professor Finch noted that volunteering is often welcomed by school board candidates. Because the scope tends to be smaller than other campaigns, help with stuffing envelopes, knocking on doors, and putting up yard signs is often appreciated.
Early voting began Sept. 20, and the three members elected on Nov. 5 will take office in January. The elected members will oversee the two Lexington City Schools: Harrington Waddell Elementary School and Lylburn Downing Middle School.
