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From the left, Linda Erbele, James King, and Laurin Terry at WRWH answering the public's questions. (Photos/Ashley Blair)
District Four candidates running for White County’s Board of Education gathered at WRWH radio station to answer the public’s questions on Tuesday, April 26.
President of the White County Chamber of Commerce Beth Truelove was present to moderate the forum and WRWH Radio Host Dean Dyer asked the public’s questions.
Candidate James King introduced himself as a man guided by scripture and that is why he is stepping up to run for school board. “Scripture says that ‘for son of man came not to be served but to serve’ and running for office is my way of continuing to follow in that example, in those footsteps,” said King. King also said that he wants the parents and teachers to feel heard.“I had many teachers come up to me privately and under condition of anonymity and shared that they have concerns about what’s going on in our schools but they’re afraid to speak up even to their own administration. I watch parents be ignored by our board of education on a multitude of other issues... I’m running to make sure every parent has a voice an actual voice, so that they can make sure somebody on their board of education listens to them,” said King.
Candidate Laurin Terry said she wants to bring her perspective as a parent to the board. “I want to be more involved in our school system and make sure we make the right decisions for all students and teachers. Being part of the equation directly effects my family, I have three children currently enrolled in the White County public school system. Our future is our children, and for all of them to succeed they must receive the best education possible,” said Terry.
Incumbent Linda Erbele says her time as reporter with White County News covering the school board made her want to lend her talent to the board.
“I learned how the schools were measured, and how they were funded, how budgets are made. So I felt like I could add an adult voice to the board, so I ran in 2018 and this is the fourth year of my first term. During the time I have been on the board, we’ve gotten through COVID by offering students and parents both virtual and in-person options, through the county commission we’ve increased the number of school resource officers, we acquired a federal grant to fund Pre-K classes at two of our Elementary Schools which is great for working parents, and we’re on track to double our rainy day fund, which we use in times of recession to keep from having to fire teachers which is great,” said Erbele.
All the candidates running for the District Four seat are running as Republican, so the outcome will be decided in the general primary. School board Incumbent John Solmon is running uncontested for the District Two School Board Seat and did not take part in the forum. Early voting starts May 2 through May 20 at the County Voting Offices located at 1241 Helen Hwy IN Suite 210- A in Cleveland. A second forum will be held on Thursday, April 28 to hear from the candidates running for the White County Board of Commissioners. To view Tuesday night’s candidate forum in its entirety, check out the White County News Facebook page at facebook.com/WhiteCountyNews.